A paper marbling artist creates a pattern on a pan of oily water in Ankara, Türkiye, on April 14, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Believed to have its origins in the Far East and brought to the country through the ancient Silk Road, the traditional art of Ebru has been passed down through generations and is recognized by UNESCO for its cultural significance.
by Burak Akinci
ANKARA, April 16 (Xinhua) -- In the bustling city of Ankara, Türkiye, amidst the chaos of daily life, a centuries-old art form known as Ebru, or the Turkish art of paper marbling, is gaining popularity among people as a way to find solace and relief from the stresses of modern urban living.
Believed to have its origins in the Far East and brought to the country through the ancient Silk Road, this traditional art has been passed down through generations and is recognized by UNESCO for its cultural significance.
In the heart of Ankara's Old Town Hamamonu district, Aysen Avci Candar, an Ebru teacher, shared her passion for this unique art form. She explained that the Silk Road played a vital role in spreading Ebru from the East to Central Asia's Bukhara city and eventually to the Ottoman lands. Bukhara, a prominent stop on the ancient Silk Route, is known as one of the oldest cities in Central Asia.
A paper marbling artist creates a pattern on a pan of oily water in Ankara, Türkiye, on April 14, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
At first glance, Ebru may seem like a simple water painting, but it is much more than that. It involves sprinkling and brushing color pigments onto a pan of oily water, creating intricate and colorful patterns, and then transferring those patterns onto paper or fabric.
Avci emphasized that what makes Ebru truly special is that each piece is unique and cannot be replicated. The technique and skill of the marbling artist are paramount in creating these one-of-a-kind works of art.
Avci noted that Ebru was initially used for official purposes, such as on official decrees, debt, and marriage certificates, as it could not be replicated, but over time, the Turks transformed it into a decorative art form. The tulip shape, which has become the symbol of Ebru, is particularly popular.
Today, many students of all ages flock to Avci's workshop in Ankara to learn this ancient art form as a way to escape the stresses of modern life.
A paper marbling artist shows a piece of marbled paper she made in Ankara, Türkiye, on April 14, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
"As people are working hard, they want to decompress with this art. Ebru is today living its golden age because it appeals to the soul," Avci said, adding that in a world where people are constantly busy and stressed, Ebru offers a form of therapy through its soothing effects on the mind and soul.
Historical accounts even suggest that marbling was used to treat mental illnesses during Ottoman times, highlighting the therapeutic nature of this art form, the Ebru teacher said.
However, Avci also stressed that Ebru requires total devotion. "One can only advance in this art when one surrenders to it, therefore it needs patience and resilience. Ebru is the art of patience," she adds.
A paper marbling artist shows a piece of marbled paper she made in Ankara, Türkiye, on April 14, 2023. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Gizem Ozduru, a university student who is learning Ebru, echoed Avci's view, acknowledging that it takes time and patience to master this ancient art form.
Despite the digitalization of the world, young people like Ozduru are drawn to Ebru as a way to connect with their heritage and culture. "Contrary to new technologies that are consumed easily, Ebru is something like a therapy that we need in our modern world," she said.
As the art of Ebru continues to capture the hearts and minds of people in Turkey and beyond, it serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage and the enduring appeal of traditional art forms in our rapidly changing world. ■
