CURRENTLY EXHIBITING AT THE CYPRIOT HIGH COMMISSION, MEHMET’S LONG FORM, DOCUMENTARY PROJECT ABANDON, EXPLORES THE MOUNTAINOUS HAMLET OF KANTARA, NORTH CYPRUS. SITUATED IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE KYRENIA MOUNTAIN RANGE, THIS ONCE THRIVING COMMUNITY TELLS THE STORY OF MODERN CYPRUS. 

"DURING THE 1980S AND 90S, I SPENT MY SUMMER HOLIDAYS AT KANTARA. WEEKS ON END, MY COUSIN AND I WOULD WANDER THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY IN SEARCH OF TREASURE, MISCHIEF, FAMILIAL AND FAMILIAR COMPANY. WE WERE WELCOMED IN, FED HELIM SANDWICHES AND HOMEMADE CANDIED ORANGE PEEL THAT WAS SERVED WITH ICED WATER. WE WERE LOOKED AFTER IN THE CAREFREE PARENTING STYLE THAT IS NOW A THING OF THE PAST."

THE COMMUNITY AND BUNGALOWS NOW LAY IN DERELICTION, TWICE ABANDONED - ONCE BY THE GREEK SPEAKING POPULATION AFTER 1974, THE SECOND BY THE TURKISH SPEAKING POPULATION THAT LEFT AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.