Cengiz Özek

Kukla Istanbul

Puppet maker

©Deniz Yilmaz Akman

©Eren Ege Uyanik

©Aziz Murat Aslan

©Eren Ege Uyanik

Making and animating puppets that belong to world culture

Cengiz makes his imagination come alive by making traditional Turkish shadow puppets
He also performs the shadow puppet theatre with his own figures
He is active in the promotion of Turkish puppetry through workshops, exhibitions and festivals

Born in Istanbul, Cengiz Özek studied in the Traditional Turkish Decorative Arts and Theatre departments at the Istanbul Municipality Conservatory before becoming one of the country’s most well-known depiction artists and actors of traditional Turkish puppetry. In his shows, the figure of Karagöz, which is part of UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is central. Cengiz makes this traditional shadow-puppet by hand. Composed of cow and camel leather, the delicate puppets come to life in a shadow theatre show, in which the artist and artisan's imagination captivate the audience. “I can make all the figures present in my imagination come alive, from a mermaid to Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, from witches and musicians to celebrities such as Karl Lagerfield, Salvador Dali and Iris Apfel,” says Cengiz. He is active in promoting the art through exhibitions and festivals, as well as through the Istanbul Karagöz Puppet Foundation, which he founded.

Interview

©Deniz Yilmaz Akman

©Eren Ege Uyanik

How do your performances unfold?: During the shows, we talk about many issues such as peace, equality, environmental pollution and brotherhood, all the while protecting the traditional way of writing and speaking. I feel a duty to preserve the traditional main characters of Karagöz and Hacivat, even when adding new characters, new stories and perspectives.
How do you represent your native country in your work?: The art of Karagöz is an indicator of Turkish folk theatre. It explains Istanbul and its people, its cosmopolitan nature. So Karagöz ends up expressing the problems of all people, from all over the world, allowing them to meet and laugh together in the context of the shadow theatre. The figure of Karagöz also delves into shamanic myths of the past, the talking trees, spirits and witches, so that past and present are joined.
What do you love most about your craft?: Since I bring my puppets to life in shadow theatre, I can directly see and feel how my figures, which I created from my imagination, affect the audience. When I am busy creating them, I delve so deeply into my magical world of colours and stories, that I completely forget about the chaotic world outside. I think this is one of the best parts of my work.
Do you think your craft is in danger of extinction in terms of future generations?: The art of Karagöz is present in Türkiye in both state and private theatres. Karagöz has a strong presence in the world's puppet festivals and there are so many enthusiasts who are both performing with and making Karagöz figures, that I am confident of this art and craft’s survival.

Cengiz Özek is a master artisan: he began his career in 2002 and he started teaching in 2002