Famous ceramic artist Mehveþ Demiren creates miracles with her new ceramics, and reflects all her skill and past experiences in them. Demiren’s exhibition presented in Paris, part of the 700 years anniversary celebrations of the Ottoman Empire, was a great success. All television stations broadcast the success story of the Turkish ceramic artist. Objects of art that appeal to everyone will be on exhibition until July 2. After completing her studies abroad, Demiren returned to Turkey and got acquainted with clay and paint in Ayfer Karamani’s workshop, a well-known ceramic artist in Turkey. For fourteen years, Demiren formed and molded the ceramics she loves so much, only being lead by her inspirations.
Ceramics for Everyone
Mehveþ Demiren works on a variety of ceramic objects, including mirrors, houses,
Seljukian panels, puzzles and decorative objects, all of which were major accomplishments
in her solo exhibition in Paris. There is an object to everyone’s taste and liking at
her exhibition. The younger ones prefer puzzles or modern objects; nostalgic of Istanbul
and art and history lovers prefer the ceramic façades and the Seljukian panels. According
to Demiren, people in foreign countries attach much greater importance to art compared to
Turkish people. In Paris, the exhibition was extended due to the large number of visitors,
she explains. Demiren also points out that in Turkey people are not very art conscious;
therefore, she proposes, education about arts should start at an early age in school. She
says: “In Europe, it is part of the education in schools. In Turkey the approach to art
is arbitrary. Under the difficult circumstances we live in, however, people don’t expect
much. There are knowledgeable people in Turkey, but in ratio to the overall population,
the percentage is very low. Even many educated people think that an exhibition is only
open on its inauguration day. To change this attitude, art education has to start in
primary school. It has to be part of the curriculum.”
Functional Objects of Art
In her next project, Demiren intends to focus on Iznik tiles. In contrast to her past
works with iron-cast frames, she now uses wood to frame her ceramics. According to
Demiren, functional objects are very popular among her ceramic works. “I want an object
of art to be functional too, not only something to look at from a distance. A unique art
object, a table or mirror for example, in someone’s home. If people want to buy
ceramics, I encourage them to buy something original. I think it is important to give
people this freedom of choice.” Demiren says she will continue her work on decorative
and functional furniture in the future.
Creating a Ceramic Wall
An artist has to be enthusiastic about her work to come across new inspirations. For
Demiren local kilims and their colors are such a source. “Kilims are my passion, as well
as Bosphorus mansions which I rendered into ceramic façades”, she explains.
“I have only very few pieces at home, about 3 – 5. When I have the time, I want to build a ceramic wall in my house. But all these years, I either had to prepare for an exhibition or to work eagerly to deliver an order on time. So, only a few pieces are left for myself, and those are on exhibition now.”
Ebru Yener........
Who is Mehves Demiren ?
Born in 1959, Demiren went to the Notre Dame de Sion French Girl’s School. After
finishing high school, Demiren studied sociology at Strasbourg II University and graduated
in 1982. Before going back to Turkey, she studied languages in Cambridge for a year. In
1985 Demiren started working with ceramics in Ayfer Karamani’s workshop for seven years.
With the help of her teacher and mentor Karamani, Demiren opened her first solo exhibition
in 1989. In 1992 she built her own workshop. Her first works centered around façades of
Bosphorus houses, Istanbul and Anatolian houses, later on carpet and kilim motifs as well
as Seljukian and Turkish motifs. Her works have been exhibited in Istanbul, Amsterdam and
Paris.
Working with Clay Alleviates Stress
For Mehveþ Demiren making ceramics, especially working with clay, is a way to
alleviate stress. Demiren explains: “Working with clay is an important way to get rid of
stress for me. When you start reflecting the images in your mind onto the ceramics,
however, you have to concentrate. This is a much more difficult phase and cannot be
regarded as a therapy. During the finishing phase, again, you have time to dream and to
think about good and bad. Once you decide on the colors, it becomes tedious routine
work.” The famous ceramic artist draws our attention to the problem of cracked ware and
says that it can easily happen to inexperienced ceramic artists.
Be Prepared for Cracked Ware
There are many reasons for cracks. Working on a ceramic façade of a Bosphorus
mansion, Demiren experienced such an accident. Mehveþ Demiren gives an example: “I was
working on a Bosphorus house in my first years, but the connecting points were very
fragile. My teacher Ayfer Karamani made these parts. In the end, it all seemed my
accomplishment. But now, I know all the details of ceramics.” She points out that little
bubbles of air may cause a crack in ceramics and destroy it in the kiln. It really takes a
lot of hard work to accomplish the final touch on all the ceramics we see on exhibitions.
Recommendations for Beginners
Start with ceramics only if you really love it. It is a branch of art, where the first
success is not easily obtained. If your interest is only of a temporary nature, you may
get bored quickly.
Start with a small piece of clay to work at home in your leisure time.
Look for a serious workshop. For beginners, the most difficult part is finding a place, a kiln and paint. Be patient.