Turkish calligraphers have traditionally contributed to the development of new and more ornate styles of calligraphy. Each of the sultans had their own monogram in stylized script. In fact, history records that Sultan Ahmet III and Sultan Bayezi II were skilled calligraphers. In 1928 Ataturk introduced the Latin alphabet, sounding the death knell of the art of Arabic calligraphy in Turkey. Many of the greatest works were preserved in the extensive Ottoman archives and can be seen at Topkapi Palace and Ibrahim Pasha Museum, where it treasures Turkish and Islamic arts.
Going by their works, modern artists are clearly inspired by their traditional counterparts. A glimpse of their work is available at the classical Turkish art exhibition, which opened at the General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Jeddah last Monday.
“This is the first exhibition of its kind here and the OIC is pleased to host such events, as they tend to reflect their cultural heritage,” said Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, OIC secretary-general, as he presided over the opening ceremony.
Diplomats from countries including Japan, Malaysia and Sri Lanka termed the show as impressive. “All of the exhibits are exquisite and should inspire entire genre of artists,” said Toshimitsu Ishigure, Japanese Consul General.
Lotus Women Artists Group — a social platform that consists of freelance women artists — have 51 pieces of costume, traditional arts and crafts and folk paintings on display. The classical Turkish arts exhibition, titled “Sanat’ta Kadin” (Women in arts and crafts), jointly organized by the OIC and the Consulate General of Turkey, continues until next week.
Artists exhibiting their works include Munevver Ucer, Emine Can Nalbantoglu, Esin Kazazoglu, Zeynep Adali, Zehra Durmus, Kevser Ibrahimoglu, Yasemin Aydin, Zehra Ozturk, Meral Canturk, Gulsen Sargin, Meltem Canturk, Hatice Unal, Aysenur Turk, Aysenur K. Velioglu, Bilge Saydiran and Gungor Dursun. 
“I have spent my life promoting art, and this place [OIC] is available for such exhibitions,” said the OIC secretary-general who made a mention of Pakistan awarding him with one of the highest civilian medals recently. “My 50 years experience with art shows you can produce the (best) kind of art if you dedicate yourself to it and love it. I know many people whose way of life has changed through the medium of art.”
Munevver Ucer, who has displayed eight pieces of art, said that the Lotus Women Artists Group consists of professional and talented women artists who represent and pursue different forms of arts including: illumination, calligraphy, miniature, marbling, pen work, tile art, ceramic and glass art, and paper cutting. “Our organization is committed and dedicated to producing artists for generations to come,” she said.
“I love art and take delight in illumination work,” said artist, Emine Can Nalbantoglu. “I love folk paintings.” Some of the other artists said their art pertained to ornamentation on textiles, as well as making handicrafts.
The exhibition continues until May 11.
For more information on the Organization of the Islamic Conference, visit their website at