Artists open their studios
Seeing the place where an artist works gives far more insight into their finished product than merely observing it in a gallery. This year, 88 artists from Paphos and Limassol open their places of work to the public throughout October
Ever walked into a gallery and felt like you could cut through the atmosphere with a knife? An artist may pour his heart and soul into one of his works, but as it hangs in the exhibition hall, all that’s left is a finished product waiting to be purchased according to visual appeal. When the fairest of them all is taken home and placed on that bit of empty wall you wanted to fill, you’ve got a picture before you that is meant to speak a thousand words. But are you really in tune with what the artist was thinking at the time of creation?
Last year, artists from the Paphos district opened their personal workshops to the public for the first time ever, creating enormous interest as art lovers travelled even to remote villages to catch a glimpse of what happens behind closed doors.
This year, Open Studios is expanding beyond Paphos to cover the Limassol district as well. Each artist involved in the occasion will open their studio door to the public throughout various weekends in October.
Artists who don’t have their own workshop will be exhibiting at one of the participating galleries. From Polis Chrysochous all the way to the centre of Limassol, there are 22 different locations that are calling out to be discovered by art lovers.
Since the idea was launched in England some 20 years ago, it has spread and gained popularity worldwide. Very different from the usual experience of visiting galleries, Open Studios gives you the chance to get to know artists in an informal atmosphere as you enjoy the privilege of spending time chatting and learning more about how various types of art work are produced.
“A traditional art exhibition can certainly be a bit sterile,” explains one of the organisers, Nic Costa. “Whereas walking into a gallery can be a bit cold and impersonal, Open Studios is all about getting to the know the person who has created the art work that hangs on the wall.” What were they thinking when they created the specific image? And how do they feel about the outcome? These are just some of the interesting things you can chat about when you meet the persona behind the picture that glares back at you.
Although Open Studios is something new for Cyprus, last year proved that locals are warmly embracing the idea. “I will never forget one Russian lady who visited every single on the artist on the list,” says Nic. “She was just so excited by the idea that she could spend a few weekends travelling around some beautiful parts of the island while popping in to discover hidden gems in personal spaces that are usually closed off to the public.” You’ll have the unique opportunity to discover beautiful pieces of art that you wouldn’t normally stumble upon and if something appeals to you, it’s all down to a one-to-one transaction between you and the artist. “Being an artist tends to be an isolated occupation and Open Studios is a non profit making initiative that aims to directly benefit the creator without any of the commissions that burden the artist,” Nic explains.
With 88 artists taking part in the occasion this year, those involved come from very different backgrounds and cultures, and many of whom have enjoyed years of experience. And don’t expect just the usual paintings and sculptures as the studio doors open; there will also be video installations, photographic works, prints, textiles and mosaics to set your sights on. “There’s no selection committee to judge what goes in and what stays out,” says Nic. “The event is open to everyone that has had at least a year’s experience making art works. Because of the democratic system, it’s a complete mix and match of works with both amateurs and professionals taking part.”
With so many interesting things to see, organisers urge everyone to tell friends and family about the scheme. If you don’t live in Paphos or Limassol, it may be a good idea to plan a weekend trip down to the respective towns so you can really soak up the great atmosphere.
You can pick up your Open Studios guide now for free from supermarkets, kiosks and other retail outlets throughout Paphos and Limassol. In October, look out for the banners bearing the distinctive Open Studios logo on a blue and yellow background hanging near the entrances of each artists’ workplace. The special website, as well as the guidebook, provides the dates each artist will open their studio, as well as directions to each studio, addresses, and phone numbers.
Open Studios
Artists opening their doors to the public in weekends throughout October, 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm. Personal workshops and galleries throughout Limassol and Paphos. www.openstudioscy.com
Chindos
There’s just so much to say about Chindos (real name Andreas Constantinou) that one doesn’t really know where to begin. Talk to him for a few minutes and you’ll be transfixed. Is it that everything he says about his work seems to scream the word passion, or is it the fact that he seems to be so satisfied with even the most simple things in life that makes him so charming? To be honest, I can’t decide.
I also can’t decide which of his works are the most powerful. Upon first glance, I’m mesmerised by his black and white pen drawings that consist of an unbelievable amount of tiny circles and all kinds of interesting forms including bodies, fish and celestial elements. Take a look around his workplace, and stunning sculptures show his dedication to beautiful shapes and his ability to turn a rough piece of wood into a delicate work of art. Working on his art in his home in the quiet Paphos village of Tera, Chindos tells me that there’s nothing quite like creating in the calmness of nature.
Growing up in Famagusta, Chindos started his creative experiments in his late teens with pencil drawings, and from there he expanded his techniques to ink, acrylic, oils, wood sculpture and photography. Being 100 per cent self-taught, it’s easy to see that Chindos could not possibly imagine life without a paintbrush and canvas. “Creating works of art gives me peace of mind and it allows me to express my fantasies and feelings. Other people may express their emotions in words, I express myself in light and forms,” he says.
Where: Forza 9 Gallery, 1 Dem. Papamilthiadous St, Polis Chrysohous
When: October 6-7 and October 13-14
Contact details: 99-418245/ 99-127428, [email protected]
Marianna Constanti
“People so often complain that nothing ever goes on in Paphos but that’s actually far from the truth and Open Studios confirms that,” Marianna tells me as she begins to explain why she thought taking part in the event was a good idea. “When do people ever feel free to go along and meet an artist in their personal space?” Before I even have the chance to answer, she tells me that Open Studios is like entering the kitchen of a restaurant before the food is presented to you on the table. And how is that? “Well, you get to see all the ‘ingredients’ that go into the finished work of art as the artist talks you through his special recipe,” she says.
Exhibiting both photographs and paintings, Marianna will be showing her work at her art studio where she spends hours creating her pieces. “I look forward to the event because I feel it’s a great chance to mingle, maybe even have a glass of wine and give the public the chance to learn what is on my mind as I create, rather than what coldly hangs on the wall of an art gallery.”
Having grown up in Cyprus, Marianna’s passion for her art took her overseas after school where she studied fine art at Central St Martins and Middlesex University in the UK. Now i
n her thirties, Marianna teaches art to high school and lyceum students, painting and taking pictures are a part time occupation. Explaining that each of her works have personal meaning to her, I can’t held but stare at a black and white picture of a bare midriff, with a small note superimposed over the top that reads ‘don’t forget to get pregnant.’
“That’s the re-Mind me series and it’s me posing in the pictures,” says Marianna. “As a woman in my thirties, I look at generally accepted codes of behaviour in my everyday life and can’t help but comment on them.” I begin to realise that Marianna’s special artistic recipe consists of a great many witty ideas mixed with a touch of spicy sarcasm for good measure.
Where: 3 Pallados St, Paphos. From Kennedy Square, turn into Gladstonos St towards Kato Paphos. First turning right and left again, second building on left hand side.
When: October 6-7
Contact details: 99-402636, [email protected]/ www.constantimarianna.com
George Kvezerli
As the youngest artist participating in open studios, at only 19 years old, George deserves to be profiled simply because he has so much to express at such a young age. “I’ve been painting since I knew about white paper,” says George. Having moved to Cyprus from Georgia a few years ago, he now works on his art as a part time profession.
“My paintings try to express how I feel and respond to the events in my daily life – to transform a multicoloured world into shades of red and white,” he says. Looking at the works closely, you can discover thousands of different universes that come to life within just one piece. “If you point to even one small dot on one of my pictures, I will be able to tell you the meaning it holds for me. But saying that, I don’t believe any art should dictate what you should and shouldn’t feel. Whoever looks at my pictures is free to feel whatever he or she wants.”
And what inspires him to paint? George found it hard to answer this question because just about anything could make him take out the brush. “Imagine you’ve had a crazy day where nothing goes smoothly. Some people will go home and relax in front of the TV, I’m likely to paint. Even when I misplace my car keys and feel frustrated, I’ll paint to calm me down.” Go to George with an interesting tale and you may not get word out of him. His hands, however, will be manically working on his latest creation that brings your individual story to life.
WhereL Tekniart, 16 Kinyras St, Paphos (just behind the law courts near Moufflon and Travel Express)
When: October 20-21
Contact details: 99-947439, [email protected]
Karima Ben Otman
If you’ve ever seen a couple fighting on a street corner, or any public space for that matter, you’ll understand how I felt when I first saw one of Karima’s most intriguing paintings. You see the couple from a distance, you sense the negative body language, you may even be able to hear the bickering, and you just can’t bring yourself to look away. What are they fighting about? Will things intensify or will it all boil over?
Through Karima’s brush strokes, I’m faced with two almost identical fighting figures, ambiguously depicted as a man and woman as they face each other in what appears to be a gruelling fight. All the intensity of emotions are there and I have to struggle to look away.
Karima creates artwork that is rich in colour, with her own vibrant personality reflected in her paintings. Visit her at her personal studio and gallery in Limassol and you’ll find yourself surrounded by paintings that aim to inspire emotion. Born in London in 1972 to Lybian Jordanian parents, Karima’s life has been a cultural mix of eastern and western influences. After having lived in various countries after that, she now works as a professional artist in Limassol, having set up a gallery near the old port.
“I heard that Open Studios was very successful last year and so I thought it would be great to take part. I’ve been to previous events in Paris and the UK and you get a real feel of the artist’s work environment and sources of inspiration,” says Karima. “I like to hear people’s comments and what they feel about my work. If I get positive comment, it encourages me to keep going. I get new ideas, I feel alive as an artist.”
Centred on the human being, Karima’s paintings celebrate human emotion in all its forms, giving insight into positive and negative emotion, from the doe eyes of a lover, the sinister snarl of anger, and the mocking sneer of betrayal. But it’s not all about the interactions between humans – referring to her fish paintings as her ‘signature work’, it is these lively and colourful paintings that Karima will be taking to the Florence Biennale this December where she will be exhibiting side by side other international artists.
Where: Karima Art Studio, 29 Ankaras St, Limassol
When: All weekends throughout October
Contact details: 99-022912, [email protected]/ www.benotman.com
