Philia-Dostluk-Friendship

Tehnis Dromena Gallery, in Strovolos, Nicosia, has an exhibition of the Greek Cypriot printmaker Hambis and the Turkish Cypriot painter Ruzen Atakan until May 9.

The place was packed last Friday night. With a very joyous atmosphere and also with quite a number of artists present at somebody else’s opening, a rather rare sight here.

Hambis was born in Kontea.

He took lessons in engraving at Tassos Workshop in Athens and studied graphic arts at the Souricov Institute of Painting in Moscow. This page covered the opening of our first Print Museum at Plataniskia, where Hambis had arranged more than 150 prints last September from the 17^th Century to the present from Cyprus and abroad, tracing the history of printing through the years and was sponsored by the Hellenic Bank.

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation has also contributed to the establishment.

The Plataniskia opening was by President Chrstofias.

At Tehnis Dromena, the beautiful work of Hambis and Ruzen Atakan filled all the wall space.

Hambis’s work, of course, is familiar to us with examples of all kinds on display at Dromena. In his work he has recorded many, many events in Cyprus, often laced with humour and wit.

Ruzen Atakan’s paintings are very gentle, figurative and personal. Mostly close-ups with sympathetic situations. A child’s head in soft blended colours.

The space of Dromena is full of good work. The exhibition continues. Pity we have not acquired enough examples. I have used some of Hambis’ etchings from other sources.