Even more

on Lemba

THE ancient history and mythology of Cyprus is being drawn into the work of Stephen Westbury.

His large scale oil paintings juxtapose imagery from ancient and modern worlds, reflecting on Cyprus’ changing culture.

American-born Frederick Horst also draws from ancient Greek mythological subjects whilst simultaneously depicting contemporary psychological, political and religious content. Paintings, drawings and photo montage are his chosen media.

Maureen Pelling’s interest in the ancient symbol of the labyrinth and its connection with the earth has led her to use her time in Cyprus to experiment using Nature to paint with and on, both as a medium and a canvas.

Falmouth College of Art graduate Alison Hughes embraces new cultures and surroundings in her resin, metal and plaster sculptures. She acknowledges simplistic living in contrast to our ever changing materialistic society.

Michelle von der Gracht combines sculpture with jewellery being made from treasures found on the beach with semi-precious gemstones.

The transitory nature of what it is to bean artist, and also mirroring society, is addressed in Philippe Murphy’s sculptures and installations. He grapples with the idea of travel as a form of escapism, distraction and seeking an idealistic utopia. A recent graduate from Edinburgh University, her work reflects her reaction to academic thinking, and recent excursions in the Amazon.

Patricia Lane, also a graduate from Falmouth College of Art is exploring the way a new and relatively simple environment is impacting on her life and painting, inspired by this condensed and intense experience.

Dick Henry is a retired English graphic designer, and is using the freedom of the post-graduate diploma to explore ways of visually expressing his passion for self knowledge through his series of paintings.

More next week. The exhibition continues until January 6, 2006.

New creations

in Larnaca

NICOS Kouroushis will be showing ‘Metaplasis’ (‘Transformation’), new creations at the Pierides Museum-Laiki Group, Larnaca, until January 13.

These are inspired by the exhibits of the Pierides museum and Kouroushis created works that represent transformation of the ancient objects on display into contemporary/present shapes.

The Pierides Museum-Laiki Group has hosted similar exhibitions reflecting the transformation from yesterday to today, thus creating a meeting into a creative dialogue.

The Geoff

May studio

THREE artists until the 20th of the month. Gemma Plant, Ken Williams and Karen Betts are at En Plo , Paphos, until Sunday, December 17.

About these three artists

Gemma Plant: After graduating from Derby University in 2001, Gemma went on to obtain a post-graduate diploma in fine art at the Cyprus College of Art, Lemba.

She was so drawn to the island that she decided to stay and benefit from the continuous inspiration that Cyprus instils in her.

Ken Williams: Following retirement from full time employment, Ken undertook a four-year course of study at Wirrel Metropolitan College, studying fine art and specialising in painting. He later graduated with BA Hon’s Fine Art from Livepool John Moores University.

Karen Betts: Graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art & Ceramica at the Bedford Art College, UK, in 2004 Karen moved to Cyprus and gained a post-graduate diploma in fine art at the Cyprus College of Art.

New Exhibitions

Christos Christou

at Opus 39

A quality Paphian-Paris connection here leads to superlative paintings with very much –a vision of its own. They are gentle and loving.

Although I’m not sure where the models hail from? Could they be French? Could they be a secretly Paphian group who come out at canvas time to haunt the artist with charm? Iconic to the drop of a pigmental whisper.

You seem to know this array of characters and they certainly know you.

They watch from their own mysterious abodes.

Christmas cheer

at Apocalypse

THIS is a dazzling show with a thousand and one styles on display.

There is even a gorgeous wedge of sheer yellow pigment, as if Van Gogh’s palette had passed by. Mosaics in harness to wings of glass.

A sensitive, docile Stass.

All kinds of mechanism, some delightfully erotic.

Paintings to sigh for. The gallery has extended ALL three floors.

In fact, the place has turned into a cultural bazaar. High street, high art. Glitter and glitz.

There was even coffee for all last Saturday. An amazing show.

Yet other

Christmas

exhibitions

OTHER galleries too are having Christmas shows.

Kypriaki Gonia, Larnaca, has a large amount of small works by many, many artists. Well-known artists from Cyprus and Greece. Some outstandingly good artists from the UK, too. This gallery will surely need an extension soon. The Mixed Christmas opens on Wednesday the 13th.

Gloria has an exhibition of Christmassy smaller works, upstairs in the gallery.

Of course, there is the huge and drawn out auction at the Hilton these days of which I know you will better check by looking at the previous page. Organised by Gallery k.

Diachroniki gallery Ledras (opposite Debenhams) and Laiki Yitonia, Nicosia, as well as Arch. Makarios Avenue 31, Dhali have large amounts of wonderful paintings-strong on Cypriot imagery.

There are exhibitions, too, in which Santa Claus is not in charge.

Helen Black is at at Diatopos until December 23.

Chrysa Somakou Maki is exhibiting collage and ceramics at Technis Dromena Gallery, Strovolos.

Yiannis Anastasiou has ceramics at Theatro Ena Gallery, Limassol.

Pieris Lambrou has a painting exhibition "Sea Spirits" opening tomorrow Saturday, December 16 at Intercollege, at 8pm .

Haris Epaminonda and Daniel Gustav Cramer’s joint exhibition continues until February 6, at The Pharos Centre for Contemporary Art.

Michalis Papadopoulos continues at Heliotropio, Larnaca until the 22nd of the month.

Martyn Meason

onhis Open Studio

ARTIST Martyn Meason has this to say about his contribution to the Open Studio events:

"I used the Open Studios as an opportunity to show two large paintings that have only been exhibited once and which have been stored away, unseen, for the last few years.

"I wanted to see them alongside five or six related works in an attempt to give a sense of an idea developing over time.

"Adi (Atassi) was the only other artist from The Space to open his studio and I hope we offered an interesting contrast for the visitors – my room with seven or eight fairly minimalistic pieces in it and his studio seemingly stuffed to the rafters with hundreds of books, drawings and paintings. He also managed to squeeze in a sofa and several comfy chairs which made his room a much more desirable place to hang out.

"The turnout wasn’t too bad (despite some rainy weather) and in general the response was pretty good. Most people seemed to come during the last few days and to be honest eleven days did seem too long for an event like this. A long weekend may have been more appropriate."

Martyn also went to the Art Awareness talks at the Goethe by Horst Weierstall and Husseyan Ozinal.

"Horst opened with some video clips of new work shown recently in ‘Close Distance’ at Castelliotissa, Nicosia and then, after, a very interesting talk about his career and influences. These ranged from the Fluxus Art Movement in 1960’s Germany, through his studies in England and eventual move to Cyprus.

"He emphasised the importance of drawing in his work, the influence of literature and philosophical writings and described his move into installation, actions and performance.

"Hussayan talked about the war of 1974 as a turning point in his life and the main influence on his work. He described how ‘this war has followed me like a shadow, has created me.’

"He began as a figurative painter but quickly moved towards an abstract, expressionistic style.

"His earlier paintings were very dark, uncomfortable images, one series of collaged paintings being described as like wounds healing. This more recent work uses oppositions of vivid colour – reds floating on green, blues, indigos and almost always black. Intense stuff".

Zenon

Jepras,

at Gloria

Gallery

Excellent, serious figurative painting.

A stark contrast to all those Christmas shows (there is a range of contrasting smaller pieces in an artists ‘mixed’ upstairs, however).

Jepras leaps with pigmental ease from myth, family happenings in all their moods, encompassing grief, humour, and, so beautifully painted. Opening tonight at 7.30pm.