TILE ART

Tile is a work of art obtained by patterning ceramic paste with underglaze or overglaze techniques and firing it at high temperatures. It was widely used especially in architectural decorations during the Ottoman period. Tile has been an important aesthetic element on the panels covering the walls, interior and exterior surfaces of structures such as mosques, tombs and palaces.

This art form generally uses stylized plant motifs such as tulips, carnations, roses, and pomegranates in its patterns. Blue, white, turquoise, and red tones are particularly prominent in the color palette. İznik and Kütahya are important cities that have been centers of tile production throughout history.

Traditional Turkish tile art has evolved over the centuries and has reached the present day, and has been reinterpreted by contemporary artists with different interpretations. Today, it continues its existence in many areas from art galleries to architectural projects, produced with both traditional methods and modern techniques.