Ebru is the ancient Turkish art of marbling - creating colorful patterns by sprinkling & brushing pigments on water, which are transferred to paper. Water is thickened by adding the gum from the tragacanth plant. This creates an oily surface which helps paint pigments float on top of the water and not get absorbed. The art of Ebru has a long history that predates the Islamic period. With its roots in Turkestan, the art came to the Uighurs before being perfected by the Ottomans. It picked up its name (ebru) in Iran.
To create an Ebru painting, the artist employs a unique process unlike that of any other art form. First, the artist mixes water with pigment and kitre, a natural gum, to produce a dye. The dye is then added to the surface of the size (topmost layer), a cellulose solution and an awl (a small pointed tool used for piercing holes, especially in leather) is used to manipulate the colors into designs and patterns. Most popularly used colors in Ebru are light green, red, and yellow. Once the artist has completed the painting process, a sheet of paper is carefully placed on top of the size in order to transfer the image. After the sheet is removed from the liquid, it is left to dry. And just like that, the marble masterpiece is ready!
Ebru was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014.
Ebru is traditionally transmitted from one master to his/her apprentice through informal practical training. Basic principle of the training process of Ebru is not only the training of the technique but also the introduction of its philosophy. The apprentice usually observes and imitates the work of his/her master and assists in different stages of the application of Ebru. The training process continues with identification and production of materials and equipment. After the introduction stages of training, the application process for the apprentice begins. Achieving basic skills of Ebru takes at least two years for the beginners. The tradition is practiced without barriers of age, gender or ethnicity, and plays a significant role in the empowerment of women.
