Mustafa Türker preserves traditional tezhip art in Malatya

Mustafa Türker, a 46-year-old artist in Malatya, has dedicated 25 years to the art of tezhip, or traditional illumination. His interest in the craft began during high school after observing the extensive use of calligraphy and illumination during the Ottoman era.

After studying Traditional Turkish Arts at Atatürk University, Türker has worked as an instructor at public education centers in the Battalgazi and Yeşilyurt districts since 2011. He also teaches at the Battalgazi Municipality Culture, Art, and Social Affairs Directorate.

Türker emphasizes that tezhip is a discipline that requires patience and manual precision, noting that it cannot be fully replicated via digital tablets and must be applied to paper with a brush. He expressed a desire to pass this declining art form down to future generations.