Islamic Calligraphy in Istanbul: Architectural Inscriptions and Sacred Spaces
Islamic Calligraphy in Istanbul: Architectural Inscriptions and Sacred Spaces
Course Description
This four-week course offers an in-depth exploration of Istanbul’s calligraphic heritage as it appears on the city’s monuments, mosques, and public buildings. Guided by Master Calligrapher Yasemin Sönmez, participants will study the history, styles, and symbolic meanings of monumental inscriptions—from imperial mosques to Sufi lodges—situating them within the broader tradition of Islamic art. Each session will combine visual analysis with historical context, allowing students to understand both the artistic techniques and the cultural narratives behind these works.
Schedule & Format
· Duration: 4 weeks
· Start Date: Last week of September 2025
· Format: Hybrid (online lectures + in-person closing session)
· Special Session: The final week will conclude with a guided on-site exploration at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, providing students with a direct encounter with its calligraphic masterpieces.
Yasemin Sönmez is a master calligrapher and researcher specializing in Islamic calligraphy and the history of monumental inscriptions. Born in Ankara, she was originally trained as a chemical engineer, while cultivating parallel interests in photography, Turkish music, and the violin. In 2011, she began formal studies in sülüs-nesih calligraphy, which soon developed into a professional artistic path.
She received her MA in 2018 from Selçuk University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, focusing on calligraphy, painting, bookbinding, and restoration. Since then, she has studied ma‘kılī, rik‘a, and dīvānī scripts alongside sülüs, nesih, and celī sülüs under the guidance of Davut Bektaş and Ali Toy in Istanbul. In 2023, she began her doctoral studies in Islamic Arts at Istanbul University. Her academic work centers on the history of calligraphy, the Hagia Sophia complex, and Islamic manuscripts.
Sönmez’s artistic practice integrates classical training with contemporary experimentation. She specializes in sülüs, nesih, tevki, and rik‘a scripts, while also developing abstract calligraphy-painting works that incorporate watercolor and printing techniques. Based in Ankara and Istanbul, she continues to reinterpret Islamic calligraphy as a living art form that bridges tradition and modernity.