Mehmet Gürsoy, born in 1950, is a worldfamed ceramic artist who revives the Iznik Ceramic Art, lost towards the end of 17.cc, and who takes it much further with his new comments. GURSOY, is the succesor of Iznik Ceramic Art, known since 16th century, on our present day.

Gursoy, a private student of Professor Muhsin Demironat from Academy of Fine Arts in Istanbul, has been actively dealing with ceramic art for 35 years, and is well known for striving to revive Nicaea ceramics. Having dwelt upon this antique art through his individual studies and researches, Gursoy has succeeded in restructuring the motifs and patterns and led to the rebirth of the forgotten art. Furthermore, via his extended studies, he was able to rediscover the 'lost' colours and formula of clay mixture.

Famed  Ottoman artists  of the  late 15th to 17th century captured with vibrant colors of precious stones under the glaze of the finest Turkish Iznik Ceramic, or `Cini.`  Today`s Mehmet Gursoy, highly regarded as Turkey`s most exceptional master `Cinici` or maker of `Cini`,  extracts principles and forms from 15th to 17th century Cini to bring unique new pieces to life , in exceptional designs that reflect the enormity and richness of the Ottoman  Empire as his predecessors saw it. Truly powerful indeed. Prof. Henry Glassie - Indiana University
 
He was awarded the first prize for vase and plate design and won the second prize for panel decoration in the 1st International Ceramic Congress Competition in 1986. Gursoy has made contributions to the art through educating art students and offering courses in Dumlupinar University in Kutahya. The artist has participated in many national and international exhibitions as well as holding several individual ones in various art festivals throughout the world.
 
For Gursoy, is a piece of melody addressing the eye. Tulips, roses, hyacinths, and other plants used in ceramic designs are the musical notes constituting the song. Through this art, the precious colours of various patterns are revealed to the eye.
 
In 2009 the artist was awarded for the 'People Living Treasure' prize by UNESCO.

In 2003, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) accept, The intention of protecting the intangible cultural heritagecontract. Turkey was party to this contract on March 27, 2006.The "Unspecific Turkish Cultural Heritage Department" established by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as the executive unit within the General Directorate of Research and Education and the Directorate has been determined. The UNESCO Living Human Treasures Program defines ways, means and means of contributing to the transfer of intangible cultural heritage to future generations by organizing activities based on the participation of communities and individuals. Intangible cultural heritage is defined as "practices, representations, narratives, knowledge, skills and tools, materials and cultural spaces that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals define as part of their cultural heritage". Among the areas of this heritage is the "Tradition of handicrafts". T.C. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has to fulfill the criteria set out for the declaration of the Living Human Treasure.  Among these criteria is to practice mastery for at least 10 years, to learn art with master-apprentice relation, to be superior in applying knowledge and skill, to have rare knowledge and skill.  Proposals of the Living Human Treasures, which are carried out by the ministry organizations, boards, commissions and folklore researchers through a very rigorous research and examination process, are presented for the approval of the Minister of Culture and Tourism. Confirmation of Receipt The Living Human Treasures are declared to the whole public with an award ceremony following the finalization of their entry into the Turkish National Inventory.

Gursoy, one of the most important representatives of Turkish Tile Art in our age, aims to play a role in "rediscovering Iznik tiles" as he expresses his heart to İznik Tiles. UNESCO announces Gursoy's heritage carrier in 2009 in the Convention on the Conservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage due to the researches on the colors and techniques that have disappeared, the interpretation he brings to the traditional compositions and reflects the tranquility, harmony, balance and elegance of Turkish tile art. Gürsoy says about the award: "The UNESCO award for Living Human Treasure is extremely meaningful and has great tasks for us.I can not tell my happiness in words, I am very excited and proud. I have to be very careful when carrying this inheritance to the future. We do not have to make any concessions, we have to give the right. This award has been shown to us that we deserve the right already. Gürsoy calls this award "the most beautiful event of art life" and many international awards and plaques, this award also expresses the privilege and importance of honor and responsibility at every opportunity. In addition, along with this prize, he reveals that he gave his "hand" to his son Göktuğ Gürsoy.

EXHIBITIONS

2020 January , Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival - United Arab Emirates

2018 August, The University Museum and Art Gallery (UMAG) - Hong Kong

2014 February , Brussel - Belgium

2013 December , Lahor Museum Pakistan

2013 February , Kuwait

2012 October Los Angeles,USA

2012 May NewYork

2011 February, Melbourne, Australia

2010 July, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

2010 May Los Angeles, USA

2010 February, Ege Industry Chamber, İzmir

2009 December, Travel Turkey, İzmir

2009 October, New York Turkish Festival, USA

2009 July, Türk İslam Eserleri Müzesi, İstanbul

2008 October, Washington Turkish Festival

2008 August, Japan

2007 September ,Houston Turkish Festival, Texas

2007 July Pendik Traditional Art Festival,Istanbul

2007 May Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago

2007 May Chicago Turkish Festival, USA

2007 March Oklahoma City University, USA

2007 January Muscat, Oman

2006 September Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago

2006 September Turkish Festival, Chicago USA

2005 September Chicago USA

2005 September Wisconsin University Madison, USA

2005 May, Turkish American Association Ankara

2004 September, Turkish Festival, Washington USA

2004 October, Vienna

2004 January, Dubai

2003 July, Aberystwyth Art Centre, Wales U.K

2002 July, North Caroline Art Museum, USA

2002 June, Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, Washington DC USA

2000 February, Singapour

1999 December, Hamburg Ethnographical Museum, Germany

1999 November, Köln İs Bankasi Germany

1999 February Muscat Culture Festival, Oman

1998 December, Turkish American Association Ankara

1997 June, Atatürk Cultural Centre, Köln Germany

1997 April, Bonn Germany

1996 December, Salzburg Austria

1996 November, Maishofen Austria

1996 November, Turkish House Hanover Germany

1995 December, Ethnographical Museum, Hamburg Germany

1994 December, Ethnographical Museum, Hamburg Germany

1994 October, Indiana University Art Museum, Bloomington USA

1994 September, Embassy - NATO. Air Base, Düsseldorf Germany

1992 April, Embassy Exhibition of Ottoman Sultans, Memphis USA

1991 October, Fine Arts Academy, Istanbul

1991 May, Santa Fe, USA