Original Ceramics in Kitchens and Bathrooms

Bodrum is something of a ceramic odyssey. The peninsula offers fertile ground for dozens of ceramic artists who work with great humility and dedication, freely practising their art. We met one of them, Saba Karabey Bener, who followed a long career in publishing with ceramic design, the field in which she trained. Introduced to ceramics at the age of 12 or 13 in the workshop of Sabit and Ayfer Karamani, two leading figures in Turkish ceramic art, Bener now creates commissioned wall panels and bespoke tiles in her Bodrum studio. We spoke about the advantages of using original ceramics in wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Saba Karabey Bener: Personalisation is an approach to interpretation that we seek, and that is expected of us, to add our own signature to a home's decorative atmosphere. Personalising a space allows us to breathe more freely as we live in it. When a space becomes “ours”, it wraps around us like a shell.In wet areas, meaning kitchens and bathrooms, we tend to feel that accessories and decorative details are our only options for personalisation. Yet bespoke handmade ceramics can make a difference in these spaces too. There are beautiful, high-quality wall tiles, floor tiles and worktops on the market. The industry in Türkiye is highly developed in this respect. But a handmade ceramic decorative piece incorporated among them can create a distinctive touch, even in the upstand where a kitchen worktop meets the wall. An original panel appearing on a plain wall makes that space your own.

Saba Karabey Bener: Today, relatively few ceramic artists create wall panels or original tiles. There were once dozens of artists whose ceramic panels adorned apartment entrances and façades; now there are only a handful. I discovered ceramics at a very young age in the workshop of Sabit and Ayfer Karamani. I entered this world through the Karamanis' studio, which created wall panels particularly in Beyoğlu and in many other cities, and I still feel most closely connected to wall ceramics. A series of original mirrors with ceramic frames also forms part of my collections.

Saba Karabey Bener: If the location for the ceramic panel has been decided, getting to know that space is my most important consideration. It is equally important to get to know the people who will live there and listen to what they have in mind. After these stages, an image begins to form in my mind. I present it to the homeowners and, once we agree, I start working. Changes often arise during the making process, through different influences and ideas, for example. Inspiration guides the entire process.