A classically trained Arabic calligrapher and Islamic artist
Refik Carikci is making a name for himself in South Africa for his great art
pieces and technique.
Carikci uses traditional techniques such as using olive oil
as ink, making his own handmade paper and shaping bamboo to make pencils for
his calligraphy work.
The Turkish artist who moved to South Africa 10 years ago,
has practiced calligraphy for 37 years, and now teaches at the Turkish cultural
center, Yunus Emre Institute in Johannesburg.
"I’m so happy to teach calligraphy in South Africa,
because I’m giving back something to this country and my goal is to see young
people take over from us,” he told Anadolu Agency at a one-day exhibition in
Johannesburg showcasing his work.
He says calligraphy is relatively new in South Africa but
has attracted many to his class at the Institute.
Carikci has exhibited on several platforms internationally
and since moving to South Africa a decade ago he has become a well-known
teacher of calligraphy.
His classes combine exploring both the technique as well as
the spiritual progression required in engaging with the divine text, the Quran.
According to Carikci’s website, he began his artistic career
after moving from his native Turkey to Germany in 1979 and after obtaining a
degree in engineering in 1992.
"We are using our own handmade papers, and bamboo trees
to cut our own pencils depending on the thickness you want to use,’’ he said
adding that they also burn olive oil of which they use the smoke to make ink.
Islamic calligraphy is the artistic practice of handwriting
based upon using alphabets of Islamic heritage countries, including Arabic,
Ottoman and Persian calligraphy.
The development of Islamic calligraphy is strongly tied to
the chapters of the Quran and excerpts from the holy book.
As a practitioner and teacher of calligraphy Carikci
emphasizes the inexplicable connection between the revealed word in the Quran
and its written form.
He also uses sand to draw calligraphy, a practice mainly
used to teach young children. Most his students at Yunus Emre Institute praise
him for his patience while teaching.
Carikci has his own art studio at his home in Pretoria. He
teaches at schools and also to private individuals interested in calligraphy.
"When you work with Arabic alphabets, and verses of the
Quran you don’t feel tired while drawing. You can go on and on. You feel
motivated like you’ve just started drawing yet you’ve been doing it for
hours," he said.