He is trying to keep alive the art of wood carving, which is among the lost professions, with his own means.

Among the lost professions in Turkey, the Art of Woodcarving (Kündekari) is being preserved by Nezihi Ünal Demirtaş, a master craftsman in the Tarsus district of Mersin, who strives to keep it alive with his own means. Demirtaş aims to pass on his nearly forgotten profession to future generations through the unique works he creates.

Nezihi Ünal Demirtaş, a State Artist recognized by the Ministry of Culture and a Master of Woodcarving Products, brings life to wood in his workshop, transforming manual labor into a unique artwork crafted by an artist’s hands.

Demirtaş, who started this profession in his childhood, notes that the art is beginning to be forgotten, lamenting that young people are now looking for easy ways to make money.

Expressing his passion for this profession for 46 years, Demirtaş said, “In 1970, we moved to Istanbul due to my father’s civil service. After finishing elementary school, I lost my desire to study. We had a neighbor, İsmet, who worked under an Armenian master in woodcarving. I started working with him. I had a three-month apprenticeship. Later, I said I would start carving, and they laughed at me, but ultimately, I succeeded. When I turned 15, I asked my father to open a shop for us, and he said, ‘Okay, son, I trust you.’ I opened my first shop in Istanbul.”

Demirtaş expressed that his first gift was a mirror frame made for his mother-in-law, stating, “In 1985, I brought the mirror frame as a housewarming gift for my mother-in-law during my engagement period. Since 1979, I have been practicing this art to the best of my ability. The art of woodwork has become part of our soul. Shaping wood, feeling how we guide it while standing before it, is why I love this profession. I have been practicing this profession for 45-46 years. I returned to my hometown, Tarsus, in 1995. In Tarsus, I had the opportunity to promote this art. I have worked on mihrabs, pulpits, and platforms in mosques in cities such as Mersin, Adana, Ankara, and Bursa, totaling nearly 35 projects. Together with my son, we are trying to practice the art of calligraphy and present it to our people.”

“I do not want this art to disappear”

Stating that there are only a few masters left in this profession in Turkey, Demirtaş said, “I received the identity of a state artist about 10 years ago. The saddest point for me is the thought that this art, this profession, will end after us. None of our young people are turning towards this art; everyone is seeking an easy way to earn money. I hope for great support from the state officials and public institutions to invigorate this art. I expect them to establish courses that will help our youth escape from the plague of phones and various computer games while experiencing the beauty of woodwork. The Ministry of National Education sends me four school students every month. I find the greatest joy in teaching these children how the work is done at the workshop and helping them experience the pleasure of this craft. I hope to pass on this art to future generations. I want state officials to pay a little more attention.”

Demirtaş, who mentioned he creates special carvings for November 10, said, “On November 10, in memory of our late leader, we create a portrait of him, and if we can remember him in a corner of our home or office, I am very happy.”

Highlighting his work with children, Nezihi Ünal Demirtaş said, “Besides the calligraphy works I have done, we also create wooden toys like cars and puzzles to help our children disengage from their cell phones and engage with wood. I do not want this profession to disappear.”