Kaya not fazed by winter conditions
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Jane Tuna
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 23, 2009 00:00
FETHIYE - Cold winter may be dominating the lives of many people, but the action still continues as always at the Art Camp in Kaya Valley, or Kayaköy, near Fethiye. A wood carver, Müge Akkaya, is happy to teach to others.
The Art Camp in Kaya Valley is still busy even when others are hibernating through the winter months. There are guests from all over the world at this unique location learning various skills, such as photography and Ebru Ñ the old Ottoman craft of making pictures with oil paints and water, with the diversity of nature and architecture in the valley as a backdrop.
Müge Akkaya is a wood carver and now teaches her skills to students of the Art Camp. Born in Lefkosa, Cyprus, she met her husband, Tuncay, while he was holidaying on the island. She moved with him to Ankara but while he was away doing military service she returned to her native land. At a loss as to how to spend her time, she enrolled in a three-month wood carving course and immediately found her niche.
"My teachers could not believe that I had never done this before," she said and laughed. Not only did she produce some extraordinary work based on traditional wood carving techniques, she overcame a birth defect that for many would have prevented any attempt to be dexterously creative, she was born with only one hand. Her right hand has a residual thumb, which compensates, but it is her left hand that does everything else.
During Müge’s childhood, her parents told her that she should not allow what many others might see as a problem to hold her back from doing whatever she wanted. Her positive outlook on life is a lesson from which we can all learn. "My parents told me I could always do anything and this made me confident and strong. Of course, I faced some personal issues as I grew up but the confidence and encouragement they gave me has helped throughout my life."
A few years ago, finding the city life they had in Ankara was not what they wanted, Müge and Tuncay moved to Kaya Village, just outside Fethiye, and it was here that Müge opened her first workshop. In the atmosphere of the countryside, she was able to allow her imagination to develop and her skills increased rapidly. Using pine wood, she began to make tables, frames and other items that she sold to those who were only too appreciative of her talents.
Probably her most challenging piece to date will soon become the center piece of the village. This is the second center piece as the first was stolen, something that amuses her. "I suppose I should be honored that someone liked it enough to want it for themselves," she said and added she has moved on to even greater leaps of imagination with the second, larger version. Always positive about life, Müge laughs off the theft of the first installation and is happy to acknowledge that she has been given a chance to improve on it.
Müge and Tuncay now have a beautiful toddler, Rüzgar, to add to their joyful lives. Tüncay is proud of his wife’s achievements and her positive outlook on life. They both love village life and the challenges of artistic creativity. The courses she is now involved in at the Art Camp are just another chance for her to share her love of carving with the rest of the world.
For further information contact Müge on muge.akkaya@yahoo.com or www.sanatkampi.com where courses are run throughout the year.
Müge Akkaya is a wood carver and now teaches her skills to students of the Art Camp. Born in Lefkosa, Cyprus, she met her husband, Tuncay, while he was holidaying on the island. She moved with him to Ankara but while he was away doing military service she returned to her native land. At a loss as to how to spend her time, she enrolled in a three-month wood carving course and immediately found her niche.
"My teachers could not believe that I had never done this before," she said and laughed. Not only did she produce some extraordinary work based on traditional wood carving techniques, she overcame a birth defect that for many would have prevented any attempt to be dexterously creative, she was born with only one hand. Her right hand has a residual thumb, which compensates, but it is her left hand that does everything else.
During Müge’s childhood, her parents told her that she should not allow what many others might see as a problem to hold her back from doing whatever she wanted. Her positive outlook on life is a lesson from which we can all learn. "My parents told me I could always do anything and this made me confident and strong. Of course, I faced some personal issues as I grew up but the confidence and encouragement they gave me has helped throughout my life."
A few years ago, finding the city life they had in Ankara was not what they wanted, Müge and Tuncay moved to Kaya Village, just outside Fethiye, and it was here that Müge opened her first workshop. In the atmosphere of the countryside, she was able to allow her imagination to develop and her skills increased rapidly. Using pine wood, she began to make tables, frames and other items that she sold to those who were only too appreciative of her talents.
Probably her most challenging piece to date will soon become the center piece of the village. This is the second center piece as the first was stolen, something that amuses her. "I suppose I should be honored that someone liked it enough to want it for themselves," she said and added she has moved on to even greater leaps of imagination with the second, larger version. Always positive about life, Müge laughs off the theft of the first installation and is happy to acknowledge that she has been given a chance to improve on it.
Müge and Tuncay now have a beautiful toddler, Rüzgar, to add to their joyful lives. Tüncay is proud of his wife’s achievements and her positive outlook on life. They both love village life and the challenges of artistic creativity. The courses she is now involved in at the Art Camp are just another chance for her to share her love of carving with the rest of the world.
For further information contact Müge on muge.akkaya@yahoo.com or www.sanatkampi.com where courses are run throughout the year.