Workshop: İznik Tile Painting | Floral Patterns & Sufi Symbolism

Workshop: İznik Tile Painting | Floral Patterns

Part of the exhibition: Hiç: In Pursuit of Nothingness

Date: Saturday, 22 November 2025
Time: 2 – 5 pm
Instructor: Nagihan Seymour
Duration: 3 hours
Fee: £40 (includes all materials) + Eventbrite fee
💡 To avoid the Eventbrite fee, you can make your payment by bank transfer using the details below.
Class Size: Minimum 5 – Maximum 15 students
Location: Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London
📍 10 Maple Street, W1T 5HA (Nearest tube stations: Warren Street & Goodge Street)

Required Materials

All materials will be provided by the Institute.

Bank Transfer Details:
Bank Name: Metro Bank Tottenham Court Road
Account Name: Yunus Emre Institute
Sort Code: 23-05-80
Account Number: 21902772
Reference: Your Full Name
(Please ensure you include your full name to process your payment correctly.)

Workshop Overview

Experience the meditative beauty of İznik tile painting, where colour, rhythm, and symbolism merge to express the harmony of nature and spirit. Led by artist and curator Nagihan Seymour, this immersive workshop invites you to explore the semi-stylised floral and natural motifs that have adorned İznik ceramics for centuries — including the tulip, rose, hyacinth, carnation, violet, pomegranate, and cypress.

In Turkish Sufi art and philosophy, each motif carries deep spiritual meaning:
the tulip (lâle), sharing the same Arabic letters as Allah, symbolises divine unity and oneness;
the rose (gül) evokes the beauty and compassion of the Prophet Muhammad;
the hyacinth (sümbül) represents inner awakening and grace;
the carnation (karanfil) conveys love, devotion, and balance between earthly and divine beauty;
the pomegranate (nar) symbolises abundance, fertility, and the unity within multiplicity;
the violet (menekşe) embodies humility and self-effacement — the essence of hiçlik or “nothingness”;
and the cypress (servi) stands tall as a symbol of eternal life, steadfastness, and spiritual direction.

Through these timeless symbols, İznik art becomes a contemplative act — a visual prayer connecting the artist with creation and the Creator.

In this hands-on session, you will be introduced to traditional İznik techniques before transferring and painting your own tile inspired by floral patterns. Your finished piece will be glazed and kiln-fired, ready for collection from the Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London. Please note that while every care is taken during firing, ceramics can occasionally crack in the kiln.

Open to all levels, this workshop offers not only an introduction to one of Türkiye’s most cherished art forms, but also a reflective journey into the harmony between nature, beauty, and the divine.

About the Exhibition

Hiç: In Pursuit of Nothingness explores the Sufi concept of “hiç” — meaning nothingness — through calligraphy, illumination, and ceramic art.
Curated by Nagihan Seymour, the exhibition offers a contemplative journey bridging traditional Turkish art and contemporary expression.

Rooted in the philosophy of transcending the self to achieve harmony with the whole, hiç invites visitors to reflect on mindfulness, ego, and existence in the modern world.
Alongside the display, visitors can join workshops, talks, and guided tours for a deeper engagement with the spirit of the exhibition.

🗓️ Exhibition Dates: 4–30 November 2025
📍 Venue: Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London

Workshop Policies and Guidelines

• The workshop is primarily taught in English, but some terminology may be in Turkish. Your instructor will clarify any terms or concepts as needed during the class.
• For your safety and comfort, we recommend avoiding wearing loose clothing, especially items with large cuffs and neckties, during classes.
• While the Institute strives to maintain a safe learning environment, students are reminded that they are solely responsible for the security of their personal belongings. The Institute assumes no liability for any loss or damage to personal items incurred during course activities.
• The Institute endeavors to maintain a conducive learning environment by ensuring that courses meet a minimum enrollment. If this requirement is not met by the end of the registration period, the Institute reserves the right to cancel the course/ workshop one day prior to its scheduled start. In such cases, any course fees paid by enrolled students will be promptly refunded in full. Refunds will be processed to the student’s designated bank account, unless the course was purchased online, in which case refunds will be issued via PayPal.
• Applicants can withdraw their application without incurring any charges up until the commencement date of the workshop. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals made after the day of the workshop.
• Photography and videos may be taken during classes for archival and promotional purposes. Your participation in the class implies consent for us to use these materials. If you prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please inform your instructor.
• Your feedback is valuable to us. If you have any suggestions or concerns regarding the class structure or content, please feel free to discuss them with your instructor, the administrative staff or the coordinator at londra@yee.org.tr

By enrolling in the course, students acknowledge their understanding and acceptance of the aforementioned termsand conditions.