One of the best things about Gümüşlük is the eclectic mix of people it attracts. Some are frequent visitors, and others fall in love with this location and make it their second home.

Tuna and his wife, Uta, fall into this second group. Not only have they put down roots in Gümüşlük, but they’ve also set up their own art showroom and workshop called “Kikkula“.

Tuna studied Graphic Design in Germany and Uta is a retired Arts-Teacher, and today we’ll find out what inspired this international, well-traveled couple, to make their former holiday destination into a permanent home and location for their thriving business.

Spotlight on Tuna

How Long have you lived in Gumsuluk?

We have been in love with Gümüşlük ever since 1970. After 1976 I lived and studied in Germany but even in those days we visited Gümüşlük every year at least once. We built our Gümüşlük house way back in 1989 – those days in Gümüşlük were magic.

Did you come to Gümüşlük to open your workshop/shop?

Not really – in the year 2000 I sold my Advertising Agency in Germany to go to New York and start something new.

At the same time Uta got retired from her job as Art teacher, so we decided to put everything dear to us to our house in Gümüşlük and then go to New York. But the life decided to do different with us and we got stuck here. 🙂

How did you discover Gümüşlük and what attracted you to this part of Turkey?

I am born in 1952 – a late hippy, a late 1968 revolutionary. 1970 when I was a freshman at Middle East Technical University in Ankara we got trouble with the army and sort of “ran away from the soldiers” and came to Bodrum where we heard of Gümüşlük. That was love at first sight.

It seems like Gümüşlük is expanding, what changes have you seen over the last couple of years?

Unfortunately the sound of Gümüşlük changed very radically. We avoid the beach during summer. We still find magical moments after the high season though.

Do you have favourite places you like to walk to or visit in Gumusluk?

Well Myndos Restaurant and Nazmi Restaurant we visit the most – I know the founders of both Cumhur and Nazmi as young fisherman. Unfortunately both passed away and their sons run the restaurants now. During the winter we do walk all around the bay and we love it.

We also get sad seeing that they built houses and houses in each and every although 80-90% of them stay empty most of the time.

I love visiting the local market, how about you?

Yes we do love it. That reminds us of our Gümüşlük.

What is your creative process for creating the items you sell?

As I said Uta is an Art teacher and I am Graphic Designer. What we do – working with paper – we’ve done for 40 years. It is our “curiosity and drive to do something” that lets us try this and that.

In our age you are more rigid about what you like and what you don’t.

Do you and Uta work on pieces together, or do you each have your own creative input?

We are both hard-headed but we do ask each other a lot and do influence each other significantly. There are some joint projects too.

The product shots on your website are well done, who’s the photographer?

Check the LACMA (Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art) website   🙂

I love your sunbathing figures, how and when did you start to create those?

Uta is German and from Hannover where you find many “Nanas” from Niki de Saint Phalle. Uta always loved and admired Niki de Saint Phalle, and she started creating her “Beauties” as an homage to her.

Do you get a chance to attend any of the Classical Music Festival events?

Yes we do. We also try to support the Festival as much as we can.

What is the best part of living in Gümüşlük?

The light.

Is your shop open all year?

Almost. Except the time when we travel to buy materials and gather new inspirations.

Which part of Ataturk Caddesi is your shop/workshop located?

We are only 300 Meters before you reach the beach on the right hand side – it is a shop carved into the rocks and the back wall is actually real rock.

Do you invite visitors to see your workshop?

Kikkula is also our workshop. Except Uta makes her big bowls and most of the paper mache work at home which is only 100 meters away. I work almost only here. so our visitors can see us working all the time.

Wrap up

Thanks so much for sharing your insights with us Tuna. I’m looking forward to paying Kikkula a visit next time I’m in Gümüşlük.

Additional Photo’s

Open Invitation

So if you find yourself in Gümüşlük, consider this as your introduction to Tuna and Uta, and drop by Kikkula to view the showroom and workshop, and pass the time of day with them.

Their creations are also available to purchase on-line, and below are the links to their website and Facebook page.

 

View my Photo Gallery of my Trip Kikkula to meet Tuna and Uta