The House of Cyprus | Exhibition by Christina Skarpari— collaboration | October 22–November 7, 2026

Christina Skarpari’s exhibition, titled “Collaboration,” features films and photographs from the period 2022–2025. The works focus on encounters documented over time with individuals and communities that preserve traditional crafts at risk of disappearing, emphasizing coexistence, trust, and the bond between people and the environment. The exhibition highlights the traditional crafts of reed weaving and wickerwork (Livadia), red clay pottery (Kornos), as well as other techniques passed down by individuals who have worked or are currently working at the Cyprus Handicrafts Center.

Skarpari’s interdisciplinary research practice examines the complex concepts of identity, subjectivity, and working conditions through ethnographic study and simultaneous community engagement. Grounded in a feminist ethic that emphasizes care and relationships of solidarity, she creates images with unexpected combinations and details, revealing unseen aspects of the worlds inhabited by these communities and exploring the complex dynamics of their daily lives.

The term “collaboration” refers to the practice of working together—in this specific case, working together and aligning efforts to ensure the resilience of traditional craftsmanship. At the same time, it promotes the dissemination of intangible knowledge and stories, focusing on exploring and strengthening the practices of this heritage. Within this framework, participants are invited to take part in creative sessions, take action, and collaborate, with the aim of developing concrete proposals for the sustainability and evolution of these traditions.

The practice aims to critically reexamine collective action and fosters a deeper engagement with local communities through collaboration and the strengthening of bonds of trust. It recognizes the essence of belonging and promotes reflective practices inspired by hospitality, love, humor, effectiveness, play, and patience. Seeking to unlock the untapped potential of craft ecosystems, it provides tools and methods for collaborative work and supports a fluid exchange that challenges dominant narratives surrounding cultural heritage.

The audiovisual material was edited in collaboration with Phoebus Filitas and features compositions by Antis Skordis, combined with samples from Skarpari’s field recordings.

The exhibition is hosted at the House of Cyprus – Cultural Center. The project is produced by Sic. Contemporary Culture, a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 by Panagiotis Michael and Evagoras Vanesis. Sic. provides a space for new models of creation, curation, and presentation of contemporary art, with a dual mission: to empower artists by offering them a platform for innovative artistic expression, and to preserve creative legacies through archival initiatives.

The project is supported by the NGO Xarkis, the Municipality of Lefkara, and the Rainbow Art Shop. For the past 13 years, the NGO Xarkis has been developing participatory artistic initiatives aimed at social engagement and community empowerment. Through art, which it views as a tool for social change and collective action, it fosters new relationships and collaborative networks. The project reinforces its vision for cross-sectoral and intergenerational initiatives, for accessibility to culture, and for supporting socially and environmentally sustainable artistic practices.

The Artist’s Bio:

Christina Skarpari is an interdisciplinary artist, designer, and curator with extensive experience in socially engaged art practices, the nonprofit sector, and higher education. Since 2013, she has founded the NGO Xarkis and the Xarkis Festival as a design collective and creative response to the socioeconomic crisis of the time. She has led more than 30 projects aimed at increasing community participation, participatory methodologies, and innovation in the fields of contemporary art and design. From 2022 to 2024, she served as vice president of the Association of Visual Artists and Art Theorists —a breeding ground for talent—and is a member of an independent group representing Cypriot NGOs for the visual arts and design, promoting the rights of cultural workers with the aim of enhancing the value of cultural work at the governmental and institutional levels.

Her approach is nomadic in nature, while at the same time adapting to the needs of each location, utilizing experimental and interdisciplinary methods in local environments and regions. It is guided by social and ecological concerns, as well as by a feminist approach to care. Her work incorporates collaborative, play-based techniques while also experimenting with various multisensory tools for social engagement and understanding local communities.

She is the recipient of an AHRC Techne Fellowship for her doctoral dissertation at Central Saint Martins University, which focuses on developing a co-design methodology to engage communities in traditional crafts that are at risk of disappearing. Her work focuses on film, photography, and anthropology, combining the arts and sciences within an interdisciplinary framework. Since 2017, she has been giving lectures and teaching in both informal learning settings and higher education, including a course on collaborative and cross-sectoral environmentalism at Central Saint Martins.

The House of Cyprus – Cultural Centre | Xenofontos 2Α, Athens 105 57

Opening: Thursday, 22 October 2026 | 18:00-21:00

Duration: 22 October – 7 November 2026

Special screenings: 05 November 2026 | 18:00 – 20:00

Opening Hours:

Monday & Wednesday 10.00-19.00

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10.00-15.00

Saturday 11.00-16.00

Curators: Evagoras Vanezis, Panagiotis Michail (Sic. Contemporary Culture)

Designed by: Michaela Sokratous

Graphic Design: Marios Paschalidis

Coordinator: Maria Ragia-The House of Cyprus