Where It All Began
For as long as I can remember, I have worked with my hands. My dad, Hasip Tuzeer, was the most handy and creative person I’ve ever known, and I grew up watching him work in his upholstery shop on Howard Street fixing historical furniture from the Baltimore Museum of Art, The Maryland Historical Society, and the White House. He could fix or make anything and nothing went to waste in his shop. He taught me how to sew, cook, use tools, and always nurtured my imagination. Now his shop has become my workspace where I make fiber art creations, pottery, books, do photography, and, of course, upholstery which I am slowly teaching myself just as my father did.
My work is very much influenced by my father and my childhood. From the day I was born, my father veritably blanketed with nazars ("evil eyes" in Turkish) to bring me good luck. He was originally from Turkey and both the culture and eating well were important things he always instilled in me. My favorite foods have come to play in much of my work, as well as my father's staunch belief in saving and reusing as much as possible. I like to reuse materials in my works as well as my favorite food containers in my studio.
Some of my favorite themes that I associate with being Turkish/Middle Eastern are nazars (of course!), pomegranates, the moon, cats and watermelons.
When I’m not making pretty things in the shop, When I’m not making pretty things in the shop, I’m taking photos, cooking yummy Turkish food, hanging with Rodrigo and our cats, or exploring Baltimore, Turkey, Chile, and beyond!
