A mass appeared in his brain, he clung to life again through wood carving.

Sevinç Tuncelli, who transforms wood into art pieces by carving it meticulously in İzmir, started woodworking as a hobby and became both a master and a trainer for students. During this process, Tuncelli was diagnosed with a mass in her brain, but despite health issues, she continued her woodworking journey and held on to life. For 12 years, she has been engraving various figures into wood while also receiving special orders from both domestic and international clients.

Sevinç Tuncelli (43), who lives in İzmir, is one of the few masters who brings wood to life. For 12 years, Tuncelli has been working on wood with great effort and has developed her skills in her craft through the art pieces she creates from various figures. Starting her journey as an apprentice under a master in the sector, Tuncelli paused her woodworking due to health problems after being diagnosed with a brain mass. After recovering for a while, Tuncelli opened a workshop to further improve herself and continued woodworking. Now, she produces in her workshop located in the Bornova district and teaches the profession to her 24 students.

Despite her health issues, she did not give up on woodworking. Sevinç Tuncelli stated that she has been interested in wood carving since her childhood, saying, “During the time I was learning the profession, I was also running a café. Once I felt I had learned the carving work, I set up a workshop on the upper floor of my café. About two and a half years ago, I learned that I had a mass in my brain. Later, they removed the mass through surgery. After the operation, I had to close the café and workshop due to health reasons. During that period, I had a brain hemorrhage and underwent a second surgery. It was a stressful process for me. I couldn’t decide what to do. I had undergone brain surgery and had come back from death. After regaining my health, I reestablished a workshop. It was a process I started to forget my illness and to heal myself. Carving wood is a relaxing activity.”

Training students. Tuncelli explained that as she started doing carving, she began sharing her work on social media, and many people expressed their desire to learn wood carving. Continuing her words, Sevinç Tuncelli noted, “I currently have 24 students. A certain number of students come here every day, and I teach them this profession. Wood carving is an ancient craft. It is a field that has existed for thousands of years. After the pandemic, as people longed to be close to nature, such kinds of work have also become popular.”

Receiving special orders and shipping domestically and internationally. The wood carving master mentioned that she sells products online, stating, “I have orders from both domestic and international clients. I have sent products to various countries like London, Germany, and the Netherlands. We can create anything you can think of with wood. It is an area with limitless possibilities. Sometimes I joke, saying, ‘I even carve a friend out of wood for myself.’ We also make products like plates, bowls, and toys for the children who come here.”

“We are considering holding an exhibition.” Tuncelli, who said, “At the end of this year, we are considering holding an exhibition with our friends working here,” added, “What we create visually needs to be seen by others. Perhaps someone might be inspired to take up woodworking. This can help people step away from the hustle and bustle of life and contribute to their self-realization process.”