Maiden’s Tower

This is the first painting telling the stories of the Maiden’s Tower and the Boatman. Perhaps I can say it’s the most impressive and pure one, yet it also holds the most raw brushstrokes and harmony. Standing in the middle of the Bosphorus, the Maiden’s Tower is a famous Istanbul landmark with a centuries-long history. It’s a private escape for lovers, and historically, one of the most painted structures in Turkish art (although its shape has changed over time). Pictured long before cameras existed, it survives as a living heritage. What does it mean to me? It’s a stage. Just as the changing light was important to the Impressionists, my drawing of the Maiden’s Tower shifts with my mood—sometimes crooked, sometimes dancing, sometimes simple, and perhaps melancholic. I had so much fun painting it; you will see the evolution of this same scene throughout this exhibition. From the very first painting, the Boatman has accompanied it—experiencing the romance of solitude. Observation is the most meaningful experience for me, and the Boatman gave me a mirror to reflect that observation.

Gouache on paper, 15 × 15 cm, Private Collection