Teacher in Cizre sketches traditional artisans to preserve heritage

Yafes Turhan, a visual arts teacher in the Cizre district of Şırnak, is using his spare time to engage in street art through the ‘Urban Sketchers’ movement. Turhan creates 45-minute charcoal portraits of local artisans, capturing them candidly as they work.

By gifting these sketches to craftsmen practicing disappearing trades—such as silversmithing, carpentry, coppersmithing, and goldsmithing—Turhan aims to highlight the importance of these traditional crafts. He noted that the project provides psychological and social benefits, fostering a sense of being valued among the artisans and raising awareness about cultural heritage in an increasingly alienated urban environment.