Esengül (Boyacıoğlu) İnalpulat is one of the leading ebru artists in Turkey, her Mastership being recognized by the Ministry of Turkish Republic Cultural and Tourism. As a chemist she has completed many academic research on ceramic and porcelain manufacturing in an electro porcelain factory and in the Restoration Department of Middle East Technical University. After learning the art from the famous marbling artist Salih Elhan, she has started her own workshop to develop and promote marbling techniques. She has trained numerous students in her workshop and exhibited her work in several solo exhibitions as well as with her students in prestigious art galleries.
THE TRADITIONAL TURKISH ART OF MARBLING ( EBRU )
It is not known how, when by whom and in which year the “art of marbling” was discovered. However, it is known that in approximately 1500s, marbling spread out from Buhara to Anatolia by way of the “Silk Road “and migrations.
The traditional art of “Ebru”(marbling) derives its name from the Farsi word “Ebri” which means cloud – refering to the desing formed on the paper. All of the materials used for marbling is natural and involve hand made preparations. The paints are prepared by crushing coloured soil and minerals with a hand stone and then mixing with ox-gall and water. This mixture is dropped into a tray full of water mixed with” kitre ” ( Gamma adraganta ) with a brush made from horse hair. Marbling artists make various figures on the surface of the water in the tray using a variety of techniques. Marbling paper is created by putting a piece of paper on the coloured surface of the water slowly and then gently lifted and dried.
Because of the difficulties of marbling and the decreasing number of marbling artists, the art is gradually being practiced less and less. It is therefore necessary to not only transfer the knowledge and skills used in this traditional art,from generiation to generation, but also to sustain and promote it.
THE EXPRESSION OF COLOURS ON THE SURFACE OF WATER
The Marbling artists prefer to express the subconscions beauties of nature and symbols that are inexpressible with sound by using colours and figures. We transfer our feelings to the marbling paper by using the different techniques of marbling art.
It is not known how, by whom and in which year the “ art of marbling ” was discovered. However, it is known that in approximately 1500s marbling spread out from Buhara to Anatolia by way of the “ Silk Road “ and migrations.
The traditional art of ”ebru” (marbling) derives its name from the Farsi word ”ebri” which means cloud – refering to the design formed on the paper. Because of the difficulties of marbling and the decreasing number of marbling artists, the art is being practicel less and less.
All of the material used for Marbling is natural and involves hand made preparations. The paints are prepared by crushing colored soil and minerals with a hand stone and then mixed with ox-gall and water. This mixture is dropped into a tray full of water, mixed with “kitre” (gamma adraganta) with a brush made from horse hair. Marbling artists make various figures on the surface of the water in the tray using a variety of techniques. Marbling paper is created by putting a piece of paper on the coloured surface of the water slowly and then gently lifted and dried.
In order to make a marbling paper it is necessary to bring many conditions together. The temperature and the cleanliness of the working area, density of the water, the ratio of material to ox-gall and the interaction of all materials are very important. The success of this art rests on love, patience, the working environment, attention to detail and hard work.
The marbling art is made more valueable by the product being a one – of single work and the use of natural materials and hand made preparations. In addition the moving water in the tray spreads positive ions-thus having a positive effect on human beings.The whole process takes a short time and the different colours on the water charms both the marbling artists and the people watching . This results in a therapy for everbody.
It is necessary to give importance to this traditional Turkish art of marbling and teach it to as many people as possible in order to ensure that it survives.
How to make marbling (Ebru)?
The paints are prepared by crushing colored soil and minerals with a hand stone and then mixed with ox-gall and water. This mixture is dropped into a tray full of water, mixed with “kitre” (gamma adraganta) with brush made from horse hair. Marbling artists make various figures on the surface of the water in the tray using a variety of techniques. Marbling paper is created by putting a piece of paper on the coloured surface of the water slowly and then gently lifted and dried.
Esengül Boyacıoğlu İNALPULAT
Marbling Artist (Ebruzen)
ebruzenesen@superonline.com
G.S.M. : 0 532 747 57 20
Tel. : +90 312 436 02 96
Ebru işliği : Tunalı Hİlmi Cad. Çelikler İş Merkezi No : 91 /11
Kavaklıdere / ANKARA/ TÜRKİYE