Intricately exuding pride

Turkish artist Ismail Acar is fiercely proud of the Ottoman civilisation.

An exhibition of his works in Dubai is a demonstration of the tempering of his ferocity to create canvases of bold colours and forms with delicate detailing.

Acar's patriotism, he says, should not be confused with “anti-anything''. In an interview with Weekend Review, Acar explains his works and talks of Turkish pride.

Kaftans, masks and talismanic shirts feature heavily here. Is this specifically created for Dubai? And what was the thought process behind the concept?

Yes. they [were created] just for Dubai. The concept behind it is to show the Islamic culture through the 1,000 years from Anatolia, because the Islamic culture of Anatolia has the features of all cultures.

I've taken images from the past and painted them on a very large scale. I've taken images from an ancient culture and painted them in a contemporary context in a real technique.

How would you explain the talismanic shirt of Cem Sultan [one of Acar's works] to an audience not well versed with its significance?

Talismanic shirts were inscribed with prayers, verses from the Quran and magic formulas believed to protect the wearer from enemies.

The Topkapi Saray collection in Istanbul contains many examples of such shirts previously owned by the sultans and the Court of The Sublime Porte.

The entire surface of these shirts are covered with inscriptions, geometric forms, depictions of the Kaaba and painted floral decoration resembling book illumination.

We believe their production must have required the cooperation of experts in several fields — including astrologers and theologians. Therefore, they would have taken a long time to create.

And what is the significance of the Talismanic shirt of Cem Sultan?

Cem Sultan was the son of Sultan Mehmed II, who, because of rivalry over the Ottoman throne with his brother, was forced to flee the country.

He died as a prisoner in exile in Rome. The original piece is in The Topkapi Sarayi Muzesi, Istanbul and was produced in 1480. The shirt is short-sleeved with slits at the sides. The neck opening is not cut, which means it was never worn.

What do your works represent symbolically?

They are not statements of fashion. They are symbols of Ottoman civilisation and of Islam. The kaftans are symbols of the honour from the past.

It is a tribute to the past. In Turkey, you see the domes of the Ottoman world. The world knows Turkey through its domes. In France, the Eiffel Tower is a symbol of its democracy as is the Statue of Liberty in the United States of America. I would like to see more culture in the world.

How is Turkish art viewed on an international level?

In Turkey, we don't study Turkish art in the universities. We study Western artists. There are many successful Turks living in the West. Many galleries and festivals invite Turkish artists and even in Turkey we have many art-related events.

Given the Western interest in Iran and the Arab world at present, does Turkey find it difficult to get international attention culturally and intellectually?

Iran is different. Iranian intellectuals are all abroad. They are not involved in the politics of that country.

Turkey's biggest problem is its intellectuals. They oppose culture. They want to move the way the West wants but forget about the richness of the Turkish past. When you say what the West wants to hear, you win a Nobel prize.

Intellectuals don't want to take the Turkish community with them. The West has power. It is true. But the people who stand up to the West must have character and style and the anti-Western intellectuals fail because they don't have character or style. Today's politics is much more conservative than before.

The intellectuals don't support art in that way anymore. Only money supports art.

What do you think of Western interest in Turkish art?

There is some curiosity for the West. Take me for example: I've attended eight exhibitions in the past six months. That is good, right? Foreigners are always curious about the East.

What is your ideology?

I want all geography to be true to itself. I respect America's power. I don't criticise the West. And I don't want the West to criticise us. I advocate a policy of mutual respect. My problem is with my country.

I think our people must find a good balance between our past, present and future, and then we will be able to be proud of our identity.

The exhibition of Ismail Acar's works is on at the Meem Gallery in Al Quoz, Dubai, until March 26.

Vinita Bharadwaj is an independent writer based in Dubai.