Today we’d like to introduce you to Ipek Saracoglu.
Hi Ipek, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story with ebru began when I was four years old. I would see my father sitting at our kitchen table with jars of colorful paint. As a kid, I was curious. I wanted to see what my dad was doing but I couldn’t see from my low vantage point so I improvised and started climbing on the counter and then the top of the cabinet to watch. My father would hit a long wooden paintbrush on his finger to throw splatters of bright paint directly onto the surface of the water in the tray and then guide the floating droplets with metal tools, creating motions of swirling colors, waves, and ripples. I was perplexed and mesmerized.
Later that day, I filled my Barbie plate with water and splashed paint from my watercolor set into it. The paint sank and faded away into the water. I was dismayed. What he did had looked like magic.
The next day was when I started my journey as an ebru student with my father as my teacher. He showed me how to add carrageenan to the water to allow the paint to float and ox-gall to the jars of paint so that they would spread out. He explained the purpose of each tool, such as the biz (a metal stick to guide the paint and individual droplets) and the tarak (a wooden ruler with many metal pins to create linear patterns). He showed me how to maneuver the paint to glide and create beautiful patterns.
When I became older, ebru became a prominent part of my life. It became a quiet family activity, something we enjoyed together on weekends with my parents, sister, and brother. Watching the colors float and dance on the water felt magical, and it quickly became a creative outlet I really loved.
Even after moving to the United States, ebru stayed close to my heart. It became a way for me to remember my home, my family, and stay connected to my roots and to express my emotions through color and movement. It’s a very meditative practice for me and I feel grateful to be able to share this piece of our culture with others.
So far, I’ve led workshops and taken part in three exhibits across the U.S. Over the past year, together with my father and brother, we’ve also shown our work internationally in Brazil, Italy, and France.
Now, we’re preparing for our next exhibit in New York City which opens on August 13. I’m very excited to continue sharing ebru and the feelings it carries with new audiences and I hope that others can gain the same sense of wonder that I had experienced as a kid.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Moving to the United States as a teenager came with many challenges. Being far from my family and everything familiar pushed me to grow and adapt quickly. I had to find new ways to stay connected to my culture and to myself while adjusting to a completely different environment.
As an ebru artist, one of the biggest challenges has been introducing this traditional Turkish art form to people who have never seen it before. In the beginning, it was difficult to find the right materials, the right spaces to create, and even the right language to explain what ebru truly is.
Still, each challenge has helped me grow. Over time, I found ways to share ebru in a way that feels approachable and meaningful, especially through workshops and exhibits. Every time someone experiences it for the first time and feels moved by it, I’m reminded of the power of art to connect people across cultures.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In addition to being an ebru artist, I currently work as a Team Manager at an immigration law firm, where most of our clients are artists from around the world. One aspect of my work that I deeply enjoy is helping artists and performers come to the United States. In many ways, both my legal and artistic paths are rooted in the same passion, connecting people through culture and creating space for stories to be shared.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I have many wonderful memories with my family. Growing up in a beautiful city like Izmir was a great advantage. One of my favorite childhood memories is about a special notebook we had at home. In this notebook, we would come together as a family to make decisions, vote, and sign our agreements. Every week, we would review what we planned to do and set new rules together. No matter how old we were, our family believed deeply in democracy and equality. When I was very young and hadn’t yet learned to write, I would draw pictures instead of signing my name.
It was a warm and loving home, and this memory stands out as one of the most meaningful and educational experiences I carry with me.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/floatingemotions?igsh=eDl2NXhwZXE4N2cw
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/floating-emotions/
