The Washington Glass School

Oğuzhan Tuğrul 1955 – 2014

Saddened to learn that Turkish glass and mosaic artist Oguzhan Tugrul has passed away. “Oz” often represented Turkish Arts Organizations internationally and he would visit the Glass School while in in Washington, DC. He also came to Istanbul‘s Glass Furnace when Tim Tate and Michael Janis were teaching there in the summer of 2007.

Oguzhan Tugrul and his family visit Tim Tate & Michael Janis at Istanbul’s Glass Furnace, 2007.

Oz loved fused glass and in this demonstration he explained in excellent English that his fused glass had broken. He tried to re-fuse it but it refused and so the art work was now refuse. What a brilliantly clever man and so brave at the end of his life. An example to us all.

Oğuzhan Tuğrul started glass studies in antique window restoration in Canada in 1974. He taught western stained glass techniques in Turkey in the 80′s. This was followed by his research of 16th century Ottoman decorated tucco window making techniques. The new and advanced technique of glass fusion calligraphy was the result of his publication of traditional Turkish Islamic calligraphy with acid etching techniques on flash-glass.

In the late 1990’s Oz incorporated papermaking into his media skills. Moving on to further uncharted territory, Tuğrul designed 3D windows for futuristic architecture projects.

Oz chats with Erwin Timmers during a 2012 visit to Washington, DC.

We hope Oz’s legacy of  glass art and paper making and his many other craft skills will long continue.