Father and daughter keep Mardin’s tradition alive

MARDİN

In the same workshop, Hasan Özcan works on copper while his daughter, Seda Özcan, works on glass.

In the heart of the southern province of Mardin, a shared workshop brings two generations together — where master coppersmith Hasan Özcan shapes metal alongside his daughter Seda Özcan, an accomplished reverse glass painter.

Hasan Özcan began learning copper craftsmanship at the age of 10 alongside his father in Artuklu district and has been hammering copper continuously for 58 years.

As one of the historic city’s last traditional artisans, Hasan Özcan finds his greatest ally in his 26-year-old daughter.

Seda Özcan became interested in the craft at a young age while bringing food to her father’s workshop and listening to the sounds of hammers. She became a professional reverse glass painting artist at the age of 16.

In the same workshop, the father works on copper while the daughter works on glass, both reflecting the rich culture of Mesopotamia through their art.

Hasan Özcan told state-run Anadolu Agency that he is proud to continue the profession he started as an apprentice at the age of 10 and said his father had taught copper craftsmanship to his children.

Explaining that he engraves the culture, legends and symbols of Mardin and Mesopotamia onto copper, Hasan Özcan said he also creates various figures according to customers’ requests.

“Copper craftsmanship is an art that should be learned at a young age. It requires patience. It is a beautiful profession and I enjoy doing it. I engrave Mardin’s figures and motifs on copper. I hammer Mardin’s stone houses, peacocks and Şahmeran onto copper,” he said.

Hasan Özcan noted that coppersmithing was once a thriving trade in historic Mardin with around 150 active workshops, but as most have closed over time, the tradition now faces extinction. Saying that he and his children want to continue the craft, Hasan Özcan emphasized that younger generations need to learn the art to ensure its survival.

He said his youngest daughter also works on figures using the reverse glass painting technique.
“My youngest daughter is very enthusiastic. I sometimes show her techniques as well. She has grown into a very skilled artist. She is even more talented than us. She works on glass with both
Mardin’s motifs and the designs I create on copper. We are continuing to promote our country as a father and daughter. What I engrave on copper, my daughter paints on glass. Sometimes I also recreate her glass designs on copper. We hope to continue this tradition,” he said.

Seda Özcan said she used to bring food to her father and brother at the workshop every day when she was 16 and watched them work with admiration.
She said her father encouraged her to stay in the workshop and supported her interest in reverse glass painting.

Although it was difficult at first, Seda Özcan said she began creating successful works thanks to her father, whom she describes as her “biggest supporter.”

“I paint traditional motifs on glass. I work on the phoenix, peacock and verses. I paint figures of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, as well as love stories such as Mem-u Zin and Suzan Suzi. I have worked on Mardin’s motifs, colors, castle and madrasas,” she said.

“The sound of my father’s hammer in the workshop creates a harmony. This sound motivates me even more.

Beautiful works emerge this way. I want to continue on my father’s path. He is my father, my artist, my master and my friend. I will always follow his path,” she added.

She also said that domestic and foreign tourists visiting Mardin show great interest in their works and that she and her father aim to promote the region through their art.