Turkish Traditional Arts #1: Ebru (Paper Marbling)
We are launching a new blog series dedicated to showcasing the richness of Turkish traditional arts. Our collection will feature the finest and most authentic expressions of artistic heritage from Türkiye. Today, we are starting off with Ebru, also known as paper marbling. This beautiful art form holds a special place in Turkish culture, and we can't wait to share its unique charm and significance with you.
Ebru is the traditional Turkish art of creating colorful patterns by sprinkling and brushing colour pigments onto a pan of oily water and then transferring the patterns to paper. Known as marbling, the designs and effects include flowers, foliage, ornamentation, latticework, mosques and moons, and are used for decoration in the traditional art of bookbinding.
The practitioner uses natural methods to extract colors from natural pigments, which are then mixed with a few drops of ox-gall, a kind of natural acid, before sprinkling and brushing the colors onto a preparation of condensed liquid, where they float and form swirling patterns. Ebru artists, apprentices and practitioners consider their art to be an integral part of their traditional culture, identity and lifestyle. Their knowledge and skills, as well as the philosophy behind this art, are transmitted orally and through informal practical training within master-apprentice relationships. Achieving basic skills in Ebru takes at least two years.
The tradition is practiced without barrier of age, gender or ethnicity, and plays a significant role in the empowerment of women and the improvement of community relationships. The collective art of Ebru encourages dialogue through friendly conversation, reinforces social ties and strengthens relations between individuals and communities.
Calling all creative minds! We're thrilled to announce an Ebru workshop on the ship! Join us for a hands-on session where you'll learn how to create mesmerizing art of Turkish marbling. Get ready to create unique artworks that you can take home later.