A landmark exhibition showcasing contemporary Cypriot art opened its doors on Saturday. “Casts of an Island 2024” features an impressive collection of 120 artworks by 43 artists, marking the most significant display of its kind in recent years. The exhibition is curated by collector Nicos Chr.
The brainchild of collector Nicos Chr. Pattichis, the exhibition found its home in a spectacular setting. The venue, the former Carob Warehouse in Limassol’s Karnagio district, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once an industrial landmark of Cypriot modernist architecture, it has been reborn as a vibrant cultural space under the auspices of the newly established PSI Foundation.
This rebirth aligns with the long-held dream of Pattichis, who said he first fell in love with the building at the young age of 13. His passion for the Carob Warehouse goes back to his architectural studies in Munich, where this modernist gem served as the subject of his very first research project. “I am in a 50-year-old relationship with this building,” he said in his speech, adding that “it was love at first sight, which developed into one passionate love affair when I was in Munich studying architecture and did my first research project on this jewel of Modernism, one of the finest constructions on this island.”
Over the years, Pattichis has established himself as a prominent figure in Cyprus’s art scene. He has amassed an extensive collection and founded the non-profit CYCO (Cyprus Contemporary Art Centre), housing hundreds of museum-quality works by Cypriot artists. Notably, he has long championed the creation of a Museum of Contemporary Art for Cyprus, advocating his vision to local authorities.
While the Carob Warehouse ultimately ended up in private hands, Pattichis’s dream found a new pathway when he connected with Petr Valov a year and a half ago. The inauguration of this exhibition marks the culmination of their shared vision.
Government Support and Cultural Significance
In his address at the inauguration, the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, remarked that “Art is the most significant component of a nation’s identity and the most effective means by which human societies delineate their existence. Art is the fundamental way to fulfil the inherent need of humans to express their ideas, thoughts, and reflections and to communicate them with others, thereby building mutual understanding and respect.”
He briefly mentioned government actions to support, preserve, promote, and utilise our culture “as a driving force for social progress, prosperity, and economic development,” as he said. He highlighted and commended both the owners of the venue and founders of the PSI Foundation, as well as Nicos Pattichis for his overall cultural activity and contribution, stating that “no state cultural policy can bear its full fruits without the existence and assistance of other independent institutions and infrastructures.”
The exhibition coincides with the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus. As art historian Thalea Stefanidou noted “several of the artworks, notably political in nature, date back to after the checkpoints opened in 2004, with new additions and creations inspired by the exhibition. The artistic expressions evoked by Nicos Chr. Pattichis cover a broad spectrum of proposals that range from varied painting techniques, constructions, installations, and videos, all representing facets of creative endeavour relating to the unity of universal culture.”
Exhibition opening times are 11:00-13:00, and 17:00-22:00. Opening dates in June: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28.
- Akordalitis Chris
- Angeli Raissa
- Antoniou Klitsa
- Cennetoglu Banu
- Chapman Jake and Dinos
- Charalambides Nicos
- Charalambous Michalis
- Christodoulides Savvas
- Christofides Marianna
- Cizenel Emin
- Costa Kyriaki
- Epaminonda Haris
- Eramian Peter
- Genadieva Marina
- Gregoriou Theodoulos
- Hulusi Mustafa
- Ioannou Elina
- Kalli Andreas
- Kallinikou Stelios
- Kattou Lito
- Koumides Glafkos
- Kyriacou Phanos
- Loizidou Maria
- Makrides Angelos
- Michael Panayiotis
- Neokleous Demetris
- Olympios Lefteris
- Perentou Maria
- Perikleous Vicky
- Peslikas Polys
- Savvides Efi
- Savvidou Koula
- Shacola Marina
- Shukuroglou Melina
- Socratous Socratis
- Taliotis Constantinos
- Toumazou Maria
- Tapas Lefteris
- Tembriotis Panickos
- Varelas Janis
- Velonis Kostis
- Yiorkadjis Alexandros
