Join us to learn about Iznik tiles and create your own ceramic coaster to take home. This workshop is being delivered as part of the 'Balsall Heath Second Saturdays' programme - a monthly mini-festival celebrating making, creativity, community, local culture and the arts, held on the second Saturday of every month.
Iznik tiles are named after the town of Iznik, located about 90 km southeast of Istanbul, Turkey, where they were originally produced. They are easily recognised by their distinctive colours and designs, often featuring bold colours such as cobalt blue, turquoise, emerald green, black, and deep red. Early designs were influenced by manuscript illumination and Chinese porcelain. By the mid-16th century, artisans had developed more elaborate compositions, incorporating realistic depictions of flowers arranged in vases, spiralling scrolls with delicate leaves and flowers, and large, dominant motifs.
During this workshop, you will study the tile patterns around the mihrab of the Mesih Pasha Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey. The mosque was built in 1585 by the famous Ottoman court architect Sinan. Painted in an underglaze of bole-red, green, cobalt-blue and black on a white tile, this design of floral motifs and spandrels with lobed palmettes can be tessellated to create a never-ending pattern.
You will recreate the central floral composition of the tile design on a ceramic tile that can be taken home to be displayed or used as a coaster. Please note: this workshop focuses on the design of the tile. Due to the length of the workshop, the design will be painted using acrylic paints and not the underglaze.
To secure your place, please book in advance.
Tickets:
Standard Ticket: £12.50 (+ticket fees)
Concessionary Ticket (for students, over 65s and low-income households): £10.00 (+ticket fees)
Who is this course for? All levels of ability are welcome. Suitable for ages 9+. All materials are provided.
REFUND POLICY: Please note that tickets are only refunded (minus the Eventbrite admin fee) if requested more than 7 days before the event.
Image Reference: Meisha Mehmed Pasha Mosque tiles, Dosseman (CC BY-SA 4.0)
