‘Illumination and miniature’ by Onur Hastürk

Onur Hastürk / Courtesy of the Artist

The miniatures by Turkish artist Onur Hastürk present the traditional hand-made artistry with the contemporary interpretation. The artist uses gold, handmade textured papers and marbled textures in order to preserve the soul of ornamentation and miniature art.

The exhibition 'Illumination and miniature', in Mersin, is exploring the theme of the kaftan from the Ottoman era. In this exhibition Hastürk is showing the story of the shirts of Seven Sleepers in Tarsus. The shirts were engraved, painted and marbled using the local fabric and paper.

Through his interpretation of the traditional theme the artist is on a quest for his artistic identity.

Here are some of the exhibited Kaftans:

Onur Hastürk / Kaftan 1a, front / Courtesy of the Artist

Onur Hastürk / Kaftan 1b, back / Courtesy of the Artist

Onur Hastürk / Kaftan / Courtesy of the Artist

Onur Hastürk / Ebruli Kaftan / Courtesy of the Artist