The distinguished memory of Turkish calligraphy: M. Uğur Derman

The best examples of calligraphy, whose level of evolution increased day by day during the six centuries that the Ottoman Empire ruled, belong to the last periods of the Empire. After this state period was completed and the Republic was declared, the Westernization that started during the Ottoman period gained momentum, and while the reforms opened the door to many innovations, traditional culture was also moved away day by day. Especially the art of calligraphy, which was previously patronized by the sultans themselves, fell out of favor over the years and lost its former glory. During this period, many talented calligraphers became unemployed or turned to different professions to make a living. The statement of the famous Ottoman calligrapher Necmeddin Okyay about the 1930s, "The years when we were afraid to call ourselves calligraphers", shows the seriousness of the situation. Young university student Uğur Derman, who was a student of Necmeddin Okyay in 1955, found himself in the traditional arts community over time and became closely affiliated with it. He learned a lot about ta'lik calligraphy as well as other book arts from Necmeddin Hodja. Derman, who heard firsthand the late Ottoman calligraphy and the perspective of a period on this field, conveyed these difficult days to the new generation with the articles he published years later. However, he has achieved an unattainable success with more than 500 publications, including 40 books, dealing with the arts of calligraphy and marbling, Ottoman architecture, the intellectuals of the period and many different subjects. Prof., who serves as a bridge to the past and present of calligraphy with his articles, interviews, papers and conferences. Uğur Derman's contributions to Turkish culture in general and to calligraphy in particular form the basis of this study. In this research, information is given about Derman's works and his works of art, his students and his teachers, which cannot be accessed everywhere, are discussed. In addition, his views on the field and his memories with the master craftsmen of the past are included.