The Art of Islamic Patterns
Istanbul, Turkey Sept 2011

In Autumn 2011 Art of Islamic Pattern embarked upon a four-day study tour/workshop in Istanbul. The programme focused upon both geometric and biomorphic patterns (Islimi/tezhib) in Ottoman Turkey.

The workshop was hosted by the Istanbul Design Centre  in a 17th century Tekke (pilgrimage lodge), located in the historic heart of the city, with views overlooking Sinan's Sokullu Mehmet Pasha mosque and the Bosphorus beyond. In addition to daily practical classes in geometric and biomorphic design, students were taken through the whole process of designing and painting an Iznik tile using traditional hand made tiles and authentic glazes from Iznik. The image transfer process and painting was demonstrated by local artist Ayshanur. There were contextual slide lectures including a presentation by the celebrated photographer Peter Saunders, and on one of the evenings a premier screening of a film about craftsmanship in Istanbul by an up and coming documentary film maker, Serkan Yildirim. There were visits to historic sites accompanied by local calligrapher Gulnaz Mahboob, as well as al-fresco drawing and geometry classes in the gardens and courtyards of the great mosques of Sultanahmet.