Maltepe Süreyya Beach

Instanbul, Turkey

Filled-in 1980s

The Disappointed Tourist: Maltepe Süreyya Beach, Ellen Harvey, 2021. Oil and acrylic on Gessoboard, 18 x 24″ (46 x 61 cm). Photograph: Etienne Frossard.

This was a beloved beach outside of Istanbul. The city approved plans to fill in the beach in 1976 and since the 1980s the little pavilion has been flanked by streets and traffic. This painting is based on an uncredited photograph.

This was a meeting point for young people’s summer joy and dreams . . . but today the sea is not there anymore! Ediz T.