An artist speaks

The theatre group Solo for Three will present the monologue Andronikos or the Painter by Evridiki Pericleous Papadooulou as of Friday in Nicosia.

The play, which is inspired by the life of the artist Costas Stathis (1913-1987), was written in 2005 and was commended in the Playwriting Competition of THOC.

The actions of the play are set in Andronikos’ workshop in his village, where the artist returns after a trip to Athens with his father. During the course of the monologue, it is clear that Andronikos is devoted to his painting, as the present blends with the past to map out his life so far. The audience get to hear about the artist’s relationship with himself, but also between persons that indelibly marked his life

Although the life and work created by Stathis is relatively unknown to the general public in Cyprus, he is considered to be one of the most significant artists of the second half of the 20th century. As such, his art continues to be a source of inspiration to modern artists and writers.

During the 30s and 40s in Cyprus, when Stathis was doing most of his creative work, being an artist was not seen as a real profession. Because of this Stathis lived through poverty and the realisation that very few people understood his need to exist through his art.

The importance of his paintings to the artist himself is very much highlighted within the play. Although this is fact, the play brings in many fiction elements that enhance the dramatic interest of the script. It has been transformed from a text involving many people into a monologue-dialogue, recording the intense conflicts the artist had had with his father as a result of his passion to become a painter, but also the concerns that characterised his turbulent life.

This is not a biographical play, the elements of fiction are evident, but some of the characters are real to an extent.

Andronikos or the Painter
Performance of the play by Evridiki Perikleous Papadopoulou. October 7-26. Cultural Centre, Korai 1, Nicosia. 8.30pm. €13/10. In Greek. Tel: 99-544934

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