The King of the Meal

Concepts are bulging these days. Last week it was crochet - this week, food.

Everything but the kitchen sinks.

And why not?

Kyriaki Costa, at Diatopos, surrounded us with thoughts galore in a whirl of paintings, sculpture, videos, furniture, all brilliantly ‘bundled up’ in embroideries which were of an exceptional beauty and imagination.

Maria Perendou, at Stavros tou Misirikou, has placed a series of superb paintings of her and an acquaintance tucking into a dish of chicken.

Maria says: “In this work, a thick black background gives birth to an ironic theatrical event around an internationally adored dish: a chicken.”

She explains more.

Much more.

Conceptualists do.

More may not be needed but the provided blurb tries its best. In fact it sums up itself.

“But after all, the appearance is important too.”

It certainly is. Maria is a wonderful painter, (call at The Mill in Kaimakli to see her paintings) - every detail counts.

A darkened texture is just exactly right.

At Stavros tou Misirikou (the little church in the middle of old Nicosia) they are just as great.

“In everyday life, people need to see always someone or something taking the role of the ‘king’ and to follow the path. In the end the human gets bored of his own system,” says Maria.

However, those wonderful canvases are not alone.

They are watched.

Above a red carpet (covering a tomb, possibly) is a table with another chicken on.

This one has been especially carved from marble by Maria. It sits there.

Carved by Maria!

To me, almost in defiance.

A green moveable staircase nearby - from the time when the church was used as a mosque - almost made me want to climb it and announce: “Feed the World.”

Outside at Stavros tou Misirikou life has changed. Immigrants of all colours walk around.

I do hope they will pop in.

Years ago I remember middle-aged Cypriot women shopping, wearing curlers in their black or grey hair. British men were advised to carry a gun when taking out their wives shopping. Where have they all gone? Years ago actually I remember camels parking at Paphos Gate.

Maria’s carved marble chicken, I’m sure, has seen it all.

Stavros fou Misirikou is at Lefkonos Street.

I must get on with my extension of Bitter Lemons - Sour Grapes. Before there is no spring.

Soles at The Mill

Malvina Middleton’s work is at the Mill at Kaimakli with two magnificent glass sculptures.

However, Malvina has also placed a whole walking row of soles in glass which follow the tread of all those women who worked at the mill years ago.

Footsteps from the past leading into the future as the Mill revels in its new role.

These small glass soles are masterpieces and you should go along and take a look.

Remarkable Yiannikouris

A remarkable exhibition opens at Limassol’s Morfi gallery on Tuesday.

The works are by Constantinos Yiannikouris and they are full of vibrant life.

His colours dominate and there is also a fascinating use of texture on the canvas, something that is not easy to master.

Many of his figures are muscular and well-defined with a strong air of eroticism about them.

Each one benefits from a long, careful examination as every time you return you will find something different hidden away.

You will be reminded of Greek gods in his subjects although gods with a certain air of muscular vulnerability.

Go along and take a look for yourself, you will be rewarded.

The show opens at 7.30pm and you will be able to see it until April 6.