Leone Di Fiume Celebrates 2 Master Artisans During World Artisans Day

April 18, 2022  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

World Artisans Day is celebrated annually on April 18 to recognize the unique role artisans play in preserving cultures by sharing their stories.

Turkey is a top global producer of glass and is renowned for prestigious decorative glass projects showcased throughout the world.

“As an artisan enterprise with a lineage of glass blowers and many employees who have had their craft passed to them over multiple generations, we believe in preserving and promoting our artisanal culture because we know if it is lost it will become difficult to recover,” said Yasemin Teke Arslan, CEO of Leone di Fiume. “A community’s ability to generate a livelihood through its artisan traditions creates a sense of pride and meaning, and we want to encourage that sentiment. Hüseyin and Emine are essential to our business, and we are fortunate to have them on our team, not only because of their talent, but also because they are able to teach their craft to other employees.”

Yilmaz began his career when he was 15-years old as an apprentice to his brother who is also a master glass blower. He is a skilled master who has been working for Leone di Fiume since its founding. A native of Turkey, he has been perfecting his craft for 45-years and is still awed by the ability of his craft to convey a meaningful message through a beautiful piece of glass.

“Glass blowing is one of the most popular techniques in glass crafts. As glass blowers we shape the molten glass, cut it with scissors and sometimes attach a handle or form a spout to create beautiful works of art,” Yilmaz said. “If you are truly an expert you can cut and shape the glass freehand, but it takes decades of commitment and practice to achieve that level of expertise.”

Yilmaz’s most treasured piece of art is a crystal hand holding a rose that he created for his wife. “I love making glass art in my free time because it transcends me,” he said. “Glass has its own flow and represents a type of freedom that is very special to me. When I am ready to create, I can usually direct the glass up to a certain point, but then it directs me and allows me to creatively become one with the glass. It’s a beautiful art form that inspires me.”

Yilmaz has trained more than 100 masters and has worked as a lecturer at several universities in Turkey. He says the art of glass blowing is a dying profession and is unfortunately being replaced by automated technology. His goal is to continue giving lectures to students with the hope that it will inspire the next generation to help keep the profession alive.

Emine Uzunoğlu began her career over two decades ago and has been working at Leone di Fiume for four years. She is a master ornament painter who still feels the same enthusiasm she did the first time she picked up a brush. She started by cleaning flat windows that were painted by artisans who were transforming them into stained glass. After recognizing her interest in their craft, they began teaching her the intricacies of glass painting and she soon fell in love with the artform. 

“Whether it’s blown, cast, or cut, painting glass has endless artistic possibilities. It’s a time-honored craft that incorporates beautiful detail and I am inspired by the way light interacts with the colored glass,” she said.

Uzunoğlu has trained 70 glass painters to date of which 25 have advanced to master status.

“My advice to young people who are interested in preserving this craft is to do your job with passion and be patient. Have the will to learn and the ambition to work. That’s what will make you successful,” she added.