Ismail Yigit revives the charm of Iznik Pottery & Tiles within places where he has worked, giving lasting pleasure to people who have chosen his unique form of artistry.
Ismail Yigit is one of the çini [chini] (traditional Turkish pottery and tiles) master who has his mark on the last decade of 20th century. He was born in 1963 in Kutahya, Turkey. Unlike other çini masters he did not acquire the ceramic art from his ancestors.
He graduated from Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts Ceramic Department. He also made use of experiences of traditional çini masters. Before reviving Turkish ceramic art he made research on 16th century pottery and tiles. He visited museums and took photographs of the appealing ceramics that decorate the private collections and famous museums of the world.
He began producing magnificent ottoman pottery in his small workshop being faithful to their originals. He signed the backs of the ceramics as Ismail Yigit in order to reach and revive the zenith which Ottoman ceramics reached. Ismail Yigit has made the replicas of 400 different pottery masterpieces; by this way he gathered a huge design archive. He formed his first catalogue by using 100 photographs.
Together with the pottery items he also began producing tiles. He made research on the tiles in the mosques, tombs and kulliyehs (historical universities) in Istanbul, Bursa, and Edirne in Turkey.
He began making decoration and restoration studies which are based on 16th century ottoman tiles. His ceramics drew attention with his high content silica ceramic body, and eye white and silk matte glaze.
In 1990 he founded an atelier to which he gave the name of the University he graduated from: Marmara Cini. In this atelier he educated students and his personnel by this way he gives service to ceramic sector. He also gives lecture at Dumlupinar University in Kutahya to convey the ceramic art to the next generations.
Ismail Yigit believes that at the beginning of 21st century Ottoman ceramics will arouse concern and this art must survive and be survived for a peaceful world.