Interview: Ismail COKUK

ART OF TEZHIB

"Today, a new styles and new forms are developed, but the majority of artists combine modern and classic tezhib. These classic techniques, developed at the time of the Ottomans, are considered as basic ones for tezhib." (Ismail Cokuk)

IAM: What had influenced you to devote yourself to tezhib (illuminational-ornamental decorating of the manuscript text)?

ISLAMIL COKUK: My narrow profession is making of tezbih. I always liked that art, and it went very well, when I began to study at the Academy of fine arts at Seljuk University in Konya.

IAM: How would you describe your experience at the University, how much education there offers in the field of tezhib?

ISMAIL COKUK: Many things have changed in my life since I enrolled the academy, particularly since I got to know my favorite art, the art of tezhib. I developed certain virtues within myself like the patience, moderation, communication capabilities ect. There are many students at the University who are interested in tezhib, and the University gives them all that is needed.

IAM: Can you take out some masters of tezhib from the Ottoman’s period, whose work you particularly respect?

ISMAIL COKUK: At the time of the Ottomans, when Sultan Mehmed Fatih was in power, a famous master of tezhib was Baba Nakkas, and at the time of Sultan Suleyman, Karamemi.

IAM: How much present art of tezhib relies of the old models from the Ottoman’s period and how much are present a new forms and styles today?

ISMAIL COKUK: Today, a new styles and new forms are developed, but the majority of artists combine modern and classic tezhib. These classic techniques, developed at the time of the Ottomans, are considered as basic ones for tezhib.

The rest of the article you can read in the magazine.