Hüseyin Kutlu

Hüseyin Kutlu was born in Konya in 1949. He studied at the Philosophy Department in the Faculty of Letters at Istanbul University in 1968-1974. While studying, he worked as a chaplain of Eskişehir Mihalıççık to be able to continue his study. He began learning sülüs and nesih script from Hamîd Aytaç and ta′lik script from Prof. Uğur Derman. He was appointed to the position of chaplain at Sokollu Şehit Mehmet Paşa Mosque in 1972. In 1974, Kutlu completed his military service as a teacher at Işıklar Military High School.  In 1976, he started working as an imam at Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa Mosque and made a great effort to restore the Hekimoğlu Ali Paşa Mosque Complex. After retiring, Kutlu continued his work in the Library of Turkish-Islamic Applied Arts within the complex. The first calligraphy exhibition, which he held in the complex, was followed by various exhibitions. He has also published many calligraphy books. As a calligrapher, Kutlu has created numerous calligraphy works, many of which are in national and international collections. He has given calligraphy professional certificates to 18 students. Kutlu currently continues his work as the chair of Hüsn-i Calligraphy Group in the Library of Turkish-Islamic Applied Arts. In 2015 he received the Presidential Culture and Art Grand Award.

Reference: kalemguzeli.org