Vesile Yilmaz

Artist Bio / StatementVesile Yilmaz is a professional EBRU artist and instructor based in Brookfield, WI. Turkish art of Ebru, (otherwise known as water-marbling) is a critically endangered heritage craft which is taken under protection by UNESCO in 2014 as one of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Vesile stumbled onto Ebru when she was studying to be an ESL teacher in Istanbul. She completed 2 Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Education but her heart has always gravitated towards the art of Ebru. Following the tradition of master-apprentice method, Vesile learned philosophy and technique of this art in its cradle, Istanbul, from some of the best Ebru masters. “I have always loved the arts but I simply was too afraid to have it a go. Ebru helped me to discover the artist in me.” When they moved from Istanbul to Australia in 2012, Vesile decided to pursue her dream and started her art business in Australia. Soon, the mesmerizing beauty of the floating colors attracted the interest of the art therapists, bookbinders and many art enthusiasts from all different backgrounds. She taught this art at public and private schools, art centers and community centers. Her marbled products and artwork were commissioned in museum gift shops and art galleries in Perth. She performed live Ebru show at the Parliament House of Western Australia for MPs and took part in collective exhibits. An opportunity brought them to the USA and now she is sharing this rare form art with the art-lovers in America. “Students describe the experience of manipulating floating colors with a stylus as magic. This is an alternative way of thinking and creating.” As an educator, Vesile’s passion is to transfer this craft to new generations. This unique form of aqueous surface design was kept as a secret for many centuries since it was only used for official documents to prevent forgeries. Now it has been discovered again. She believes that the stunning patterns and endless color combinations afforded by Ebru breaks the barriers and lets your imagination guide you. “Each Ebru is unique, just like fingerprints, yet regardless of skill level, every student makes their very own, original artwork just in minutes. There is not a right or wrong way to do Ebru. Because you are painting on the water, the unpredictable nature of this art helps you produce beautiful abstract designs and it takes out the stress of representing objects in the real world. What you think is a mistake may give you a chance to do something different. A great confidence builder for students who think they can’t do any art!”Letting the size organize the creative process, frees art-making from directed thinking and expectations and allows the individual personality to come through. Vesile always looks for opportunities to work with children and share the joy of Ebru with others through demonstrations, presentations, workshops and courses.Past Activities and Workshops2012-2013 Mandjar Markets, live Ebru demonstration, Mandurah2013 February- WA Guild of Bookbinders, Ebru workshop, Perth2013 February- Perth City Farm, Holiday Vacation Program, Ebru workshop, Perth2013 March – WA Guild of Bookbinders, Ebru workshop, Perth2013 March- Riverside Primary School, “Ebru on Ceramic Tile”, Mandurah2013 April- Falcon Spinners Club, “Ebru on Silk”, Falcon2013 April- Perth City Farm, Holiday Vacation Program, Ebru workshop, Perth2013 April – Perth City Farm Ebru workshop for adults, Perth2013 April- June – Fountain College, “Introduction to Ebru” series of workshops (6 weeks), Perth2013 June – Rostrata Primary School, Ebru workshop, Perth2013 June- Marbling Art Studio, Ebru workshop, Perth2013 August- Live Ebru Show at WA Parliament for MPs.2013 August – Marbling Art Studio, Ebru on Silk, Perth2013 September – Preston Street Artspace – Inception : Group Exhibition 2013 October- Victoria Park Art Gallery – Group Exhibition2014 March – Fremantle Arts Centre – Ebru Workshop2014 June – Fremantle Arts Centre – Ebru Workshop2014 August – The City of Stirling (Mind Your Arts Program ) – Ebru Workshop2014 September – Araluen Botanical Park (Tulip Festival, opening show) – Live Ebru Demonstration2015 May- Fremantle Arts Centre Ebru Workshop2015 November- Presbyterian Ladies’ College , Ebru Workshop2016 February – Fremantle Arts Centre, Ebru Workshop2017 Jan- December – Private lessons and group sessions for Art Therapists2018 – We moved to the USA!2018- August – Introduction to Ebru for Adults at Milwaukee Public Library Central Branch2018 – November – Introduction to Ebru for Children at Milwaukee Public Library Central Branch2019- March - Ebru Workshop at Brookfield Public Library2019- May- Ebru at Swansonfest2019- June – Ebru Workshop at Milwaukee Public Library Villard Square Branch2019- September- Ebru Workshop at Menomenee Falls Library2019- October- December Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design- Ebru classes for adults2019- November - Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts- Paper marbling workshop Contact: Vesileyilmaz1@gmail.comMobile: +1 (262) 327 6206www.DoEbru.comhttps://www.facebook.com/MARBLINGARTEBRU/