He transforms scrap iron into works of art: "My goal is not to sell it."
Turan Çetin, who didn't continue his education beyond the first year of middle school, began his journey as an apprentice in the industry and continued for years in the ironwork trade. The time he gained after retirement opened the door to a new beginning for the veteran craftsman.
Çetin transformed his small workshop into a space born from a combination of scrap metal, the past, and his imagination. Hundreds of metal parts—car coil springs, old sewing machine parts, wire mesh, and cutlery—take on a whole new aesthetic in his hands.
Each of the robot sculptures, eagles, deer sculptures and many other works he makes using recycled materials tells a story.
The sculpture "Man Beating Iron", which emerged after approximately three months of work, was Çetin's first work to be sent to Ankara.
Çetin, who has been collecting old items since he was 14 to create a small cultural heritage site, says his doors are open to students.
Çetin, who wanted to show them his handiwork and explain welding and what can be done with recycling, said, "Let them come and see. Maybe a child will remember this. They can do things like this in the future."
Turan Çetin, who stated that he makes figures entirely from scrap metal but with a soul, said, "At first, I didn't know what to do. But then I started putting together pieces I saw in scrapyards. Sewing machine bobbins became eyes, car springs became feet. No plans, no drawings. Everything starts in my head. The important thing is to imagine it and embed it in your mind. I started this as a hobby. Then I received requests from some places, but my goal isn't to sell."
ntv
