Ayten Tiryaki, master calligrapher and illuminator of Istanbul
Through a contact at the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, I had been put in touch with a calligraphy and illumination Hodja (master) living on the Asian side of the Bosporus.
Luigi Bevilacqua, Venetian textile makers
On the Grand Canal in the Santa Croce neighbourhood, is Luigi Bevilacqua’s weaving workshop, a textile business that dates back to 1875.
Gianni Basso's 'Antica Stamperia', Venice
In the labyrinthine depths of Venice’s Canareggio neighbourhood is Gianni Basso’s ‘Antica Stamperia’, a printing press workshop still faithful to 18th century techniques.
Lorenzo Sarubbi's Florentine press house
On a tiny little workshop on a narrow road that connects the Palazzo Pitti with Santa Spirito, Lorenzo Sarubbi makes prints from antique engravings. Here, you can find prints of historical maps, cityscapes, flora, fauna and much more.
Roberto Ugolini, Florentine shoe maker
Opposite Brunelleschi’s imposing Basilica di Santa Spirito in Florence sits Roberto Ugolini’s shoe making workshop. I first noticed Roberto’s workshop 19 years ago when I visited Florence as a student.
The jewellers of Jaipur (The Guardian)
Unesco has named the capital of Rajasthan, India, a world heritage site, partly for its jewellery and artisanal traditions, which continue to thrive on one of its main commercial streets.
A feature for The Guardian.
Boat builders of Zanzibar
About four kilometres outside of Stone Town, Zanzibar, near the ruins of the 19th century Arab Sultan Barghash’s palace lies Maruhubi fishing village. Quiet during the afternoons, the village comes alive in the evenings when fishermen set out for 12 hour shifts at sea returning exhausted at around 6 o’clock in the morning.
Popat Mulji & Sons: Furniture makers of Stone Town, Zanzibar
Photographs from Popat Mulji & Sons furniture workshop in Stone Town, Zanzibar. This series focuses on Kantalil Popat Mulji who inherited this business from his father after their family emigrated from Gujarat, India.