Necmeddin Ebru 1964

Necmeddin Ebru is a print made by Necmeddin Okyay, who lived through the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the formation of the Turkish Republic. Okyay was a master of Ebru, a traditional Turkish art of paper marbling. Ebru involves floating pigments on water and then transferring the designs to paper. Okyay innovated the artform by pioneering the practice of creating representational images, like flowers. Traditionally Ebru consisted of nonrepresentational patterns. His artistic contributions earned him the title "Hezarfen," meaning "a thousand arts." In this artwork, the vibrant red of the poppy starkly contrasts against the muted background, capturing the resilience and beauty that emerges even amidst turmoil. The poppy itself, laden with symbolism across cultures, speaks to themes of remembrance, peace, and even sleep. Okyay's Ebru invites us to reflect on the intersections of tradition, innovation, and identity, while experiencing a deep sense of cultural pride and continuity.