Artists from both sides to exhibit in talks hall

THE SPECIAL Adviser of the UN Secretary General on Cyprus, Alexander Downer, will be the host of a new initiative to highlight the wealth of artistic expression on the island and the fruits of creative cooperation across the Cyprus divide, UNFICYP said yesterday.

Cypriot artists Andreas Charalambous, Osman Keten, Zehra Sonya and Pola Hadjipapa have agreed to exhibit part of their work inside the premises where direct talks between the two leaders are being held.  The paintings and mixed-media pieces on show touch on Cyprus-related-themes, such as the Cyprus coffee, shared Cypriot experiences, Nicosia’s urbanism and sexual exploitation of women.  Their works will kick off a rolling exhibition, which has the support of both leaders.

“I’m a great believer in the power of art to soothe but also to provoke reflection”, Downer said.  “I think the works on display are a small indication of the tremendous potential of this island, and I am heartened by the collaborative nature of the exhibition, which is conceived and led by Turkish and Greek Cypriot artists”.

The exhibition will be inaugurated officially in July.  Future contributing artists will include creators such as Emin Cizenel, Ashik Mene, Kyriakos Kallis and Chara Savvidou, who will provide new works on a monthly basis to lend artistic support to the peace-process.

The project’s initiators are Neshe Yashin and Andreas Charalambous.  It is organized by Argyro Toumazou and Ozgul Ezgin, who can be contacted at:

[email protected] (00357 99 317278) and [email protected] (0090 533 8640418).

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