Türk Telekom, a leader in Turkey's telecommunications and digital transformation sectors, continues to support projects that contribute to the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage. Sponsored by the corporation and prepared in collaboration with the Classical Turkish Arts Foundation and Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, the exhibition titled "Following the Letters: 41 Years" has officially commenced. Bringing together the 41-year career and design intelligence of the award-winning master of traditional calligraphy, Ali Toy, the exhibition will remain open to visitors at the Tophane-i Âmire Culture and Art Center until May 24, 2026.
The Intersection of Architectural Discipline and Traditional Aesthetics
The exhibition features 104 unique works from different creative periods of Ali Toy, who holds the Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Award and possesses a strong background in architecture. The artist's distinctive style, which draws heavily from architectural forms and fundamental geometric lines, introduces a contemporary dimension to traditional calligraphic structures.
The curated collection includes rare examples executed in talik, divânî, celî divânî, kadim divânî, rika, şikeste, makıli, architectural kufi, and modern calligraphic styles. Combining historical aesthetic memory with today's technical methods and contemporary interpretation, these calligraphic works serve as significant cultural documents reflecting the technical expertise and aesthetic needs of their respective eras.
A Crucial Reference Source for Art Enthusiasts and Academic Circles
Realized by the Classical Turkish Arts Foundation, the project demonstrates how inherited calligraphic knowledge gains new meaning in modern times and how it can be carried effectively into the future. The exhibition aims to serve as an essential reference source for traditional art lovers, researchers, and students of calligraphy alike.
The structural details of the exhibition and visiting hours are scheduled as follows:
Exhibition Dates: The collection will welcome visitors at the Tophane-i Âmire Culture and Art Center until May 24, 2026.
Visiting Hours: The galleries are open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with the exception of Monday, May 18, 2026, when the facility is closed for routine maintenance.
A Unique Figure in Traditional Arts: Ali Toy
A graduate of the Istanbul Technical University Faculty of Architecture and Yıldız Technical University Measured Drawing and Restoration Department, Ali Toy completed his calligraphic training under Prof. Dr. Ali Alparslan. Having participated in numerous national and international projects and launched 32 solo exhibitions, Toy has been honored with 6 awards in international competitions organized by IRCICA.
Renowned for integrating basic geometric structures into modern calligraphic styles, the artist conducts extensive research on nearly forgotten scripts such as makıli, architectural kufi, and ancient divani. Awarded the Presidential Culture and Arts Grand Award in 2017, Toy continues his professional work in Istanbul and serves as a faculty member at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakıf University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Design, and Architecture.
