The Press and Information Office of the Republic of Cyprus, the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Greece and the House of Cyprus organize the Art Exhibition “ELLES: Mythological Figures of Yesterday, Creators of Today”.

The exhibition will be inaugurated by the First Lady of the Republic of Cyprus, Mrs. Philippa Karsera-Christodoulides, on Saturday 15 March 2025, at 19:00, at the House of Cyprus (Xenofontos 2A, Syntagma).

The Art Exhibition is a continuation of the Photographic Exhibition of the Press and Information Office entitled “ELLE: Woman in Antiquity”, which was presented at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, the National Library of Vienna and the Cultural Centre of Fine Arts in Madrid, while from 14 March to 13 April 2025 it will be exhibited at the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki. The exhibition highlights the stylistic evolution of Cypriot art through female sculptures from the collection of the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus, dating from the Chalcolithic (4th millennium BC) to the Roman period (4th century AD).

In the art exhibition “ELLES: Mythological Figures of Yesterday, Creators of Today”, six artists, inspired by the figures of antiquity, revisit myths and symbols from Cypriot heritage, using the tools of contemporary artistic creation, such as performance, photography and video.

The exhibition includes, among other things, photographs of sculptures depicting deities and female figurines belonging to the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus. At the same time, through a different perspective, the artists share their thoughts on the female form in the 21st century. Through contemporary artistic and philosophical reinterpretations of ancient female figures, the exhibition also depicts the creative empowerment of women and their central role in the cultural influence of Europe, providing a prism through which to observe the evolution of Cypriot society.

“[…] Through this exhibition, Cyprus not only confirms its historical role as a bridge between cultures, but also proposes an essential reflection on the construction of European identity, where past and present, tradition and innovation, East and West meet and feed each other. […]” (Catherine Louis Nikita, curator of the exhibition)

The artists participating in the exhibition are: Klitsa Antoniou, Stefanos Kouratzis, Melita Kouta, Lia Lapithi, Arianna Economou and Effie Spyrou.

Curated by: Catherine Louis Nikita

Coordinated by: Adonis Taliadoros, Press Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus

Maria Ragia, House of Cyprus

Opening: Saturday 15 March 2025, at 19:00

Exhibition Duration: 17 March 2025 – 2 April 2025

Opening Days and Hours: Monday and Wednesday: 10:00 – 19:00 

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10:00 – 15:00