Cyprus: a foundation of copper

By Maria Gregoriou

As of today, the exhibition hall at the Goethe-Institut in Nicosia will host objects and pictures with copper by German artist Angela B Clement.

The exhibition, entitled AES Cyprium (Copper) Connects and Cures, is a tribute to Cyprus – the island of copper – and the artist is fascinated with the material of copper. This fascination is probably something Clement picked up from her father who was a mining engineer.

Together with her father the aritst visited the glowing chalcanthite in the old gallery of Rammelsberges, Goslar. But her quest for the traces of copper did not end there, she also visited the Skouriotissa mines in the Nicosia district, which inspired her to create pieces of art.

Copper played a big part in Cypriot history and its name. There are suggestions that the word Cyprus comes from the word copper (zubar in Sumerian), some people also suggest that the word copper comes from the Greek word for the island Kupros. But, however way you look at it, Cyprus and copper have definitely got a lot to share.

As for the material itself, in antiquity Cyprus was famous for its copper resources.

But back to the event at hand. The works which will be on display point to the healing effect of copper; the medical benefit of cuprous salt was used by Egyptian and then Greek and Roman physicians. When the Greek physician, surgeon and philosopher Galen visited Cyprus around 160AD he got a large amount of Cypric copper sulfate and copper mineral from the mines of Soli.

But copper does not only have healing power, its material can be used as a pigment to dye clothes and other fabric. This is something that Clement utilises in her creations, and something you will be able to view at the exhibition.

Clement will be present at the exhibition’s opening, so any questions you have about copper or the way it can be used would be very welcome.

Aes Cyprium (Copper) Connects and Cures
Solo exhibition by Angela B. Clement. Opens May 5 at 7pm until June 18. Goethe-Institut, 21 Markos Drakos Street, Nicosia. Monday – Friday: 12pm-7pm. Tel: 22-674607

 

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