Kostas Neofitidis collection of Artwork by kostas_neofitidis

K O S T A S N E O F I T I D I S

2 0 0 5 - 2 0 1 9

“ T h e g a m e i s c o n s t a n t , b u t r o le s a n d r e la t i o n s h i p s a r e s h a p e d b y c i r c u m n s t a n c e s . B la c k m u s t e x i s t , i n o r d e r f o r w h i t e t o b e d i s c e r n e d . I n t h e s a m e w a y a s f o r b a d a n d g o o d , m i s e r y a n d j o y . E v e r y t h i n g s h i f t s a n d fl o w s , j u s t l i ke t h e s i t u a t i o n s w e fi n d o u r s e lv e s i n . S h a p e s f o r m f a c e s a n d , i n t u r n , f a c e s f o r m r e la t i o n s h i p s . I n t h e a b s e n c e o f b la c k , w h i t e c a n n o t b e d e fi n e d . T h e g a m e i s c o n s t a n t ” K o s t a s N e o fi t i d i s

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Biography

Who is Kota

Original Artwork: General Context

Balancing Act

Underwater Original Series

Sunset Series

Fine Art Prints: General Context

Silent Beach

The Lucky Elephants

Underwater Series

Souls of Space Series

Totem Series

In the Jungle

Dreams in BnW

The Holi Portraits

Playful Sculptures

Woven Art: General Context

The Green Rays Series

The Red Rays Series

The Sunset Series

Himalayan Café

Cosmos

The Silk Series

Ceramics: General Context

Mandalas

The Moods Series

The Kaleido Series 2

Dreams

Jongleur

Publications

Contact Information

“Awakening”, 2005. ink on paper

BIOGRAPHY

Since the beginning of his career in the 1990s after he

graduated from the Politecnico di Milano, Kostas Neoﬁtidis

Artist and an Architect was intrigued by the Italian city, a

place he witnessed within an era where expression both

culturally and socially were demanded to be explored.

During his time in Italy, under the inﬂuence of architects and artists, he was fascinated by the post-modern thinking in

architecture and by the abstract expressions of Suprematism,

an art movement founded by Kazimir Malevich. Joan Miro

also inﬂuenced his early works, when his style was more

experimental, ranging from abstract expressionism, to lyrical

abstraction, to suprematism. For the past two decades he has

spent most of his time in South East Asia travelling, studying

and understanding people and their religious beliefs,

absorbing images and cultural references that led to his

current signature style of art making which is a reﬂection of his

own personal experiences. This is very much projected even in

his ﬁrst sketches made in ink, “The Awakening” series, which

was an actual diary of his time spent in Thailand during

2005. Although the Artist’s ﬁrst explorative series made

between 2005-2010 such as “The Beach Stories”, can be

described by a primitive language of expression and lively

organic forms, his latest and more mature paintings since the

“Balancing Act” series, are described by solid compositions

that incorporate idosyncratic complex patterns and a strict

geometry of horizontals and verticals. His artwork is a

collection of narratives expressed in original watercolour,

acrylic and indian ink drawings, as well as limited edition

series that are mostly prints, illuminated portraits, woven pieces

and ceramic creations. They can be described as a visual

celebration of geometric shapes and colors that compliment

each other, adjusting uniquely in any environment or space

they become part of, blurring the line between art and space,

as two contradictory concepts. The intention being is to spread

positive energy and a bright outlook which is crucial, as Kostas

states, on an existential level, in order to survive the harshness

and tension of modern life today. As an Architect, he has

produced his own bold and revolutionary architectural

designs of various conceptual clubs, bars and restaurants that

became iconic destinations of their time. His designs can be

described as lively, playful and ethereal, supporting the

philosophy that a space is designed from within. Kostas exhibits

both nationally and internationally. His daily objectives

include his love for the oceans of the world, exploring nature

a n d A s h t a n g a y o g a p r a c t i c e .

W H O I S KOTA

“ O v e r lo o k i n g a n i m a g i n a r y b e a c h , la y s K o t a : a n

e x c e p t i o n a l p r o t a g o n i s t w h o , w i t h h i s k i n d -

p o s i t i v e s p i r i t , b e c o m e s a c o l le c t o r o f s t o r i e s ,

m a n i f e s t i n g h i m s e l f t h r o u g h t h e u n i q u e a r t a n d

d e s i g n e x p l o r a t i o n s o f K o s t a s N e o ﬁ t i d i s . ”

T h e m a n i f e s t a t i o n o f K o t a a s a n i m a g i n a r y ﬁ g u r e ,

c o m e s t o l i f e a s t h e a b s o l u t e e x p r e s s i o n o f

o p t i m i s m a n d h a p p i n e s s b y t h e C y p r i o t A r t i s t

a n d A r c h i t e c t K o s t a s N e o ﬁ t i d i s . K o s t a s a s a n

a r t i s t e m b r a c e s v a r i o u s f o r m s o f e x p r e s s i o n ,

m a t e r i a l s a n d t e c h n i q u e s i n h i s a r t w o r k . H i s

p o r t f o l i o i n c l u d e s a c o l le c t i o n o f n a r r a t i v e s

e x p r e s s e d i n o r i g i n a l w a t e r c o lo u r, a c r y l i c a n d

i n d i a n i n k d r a w i n g s , a s w e l l a s l i m i t e d e d i t i o n

s e r i e s t h a t a r e p r i n t s , i l l u m i n a t e d p o r t r a i t s ,

w o v e n p i e c e s a n d c e r a m i c c r e a t i o n s . I n a s e t t i n g

o f v i b r a n t c o lo r s a n d g e o m e t r i c s h a p e s , K o t a

e m e r g e s a s a c o l le c t o r o f s t o r i e s w h i le s p r e a d i n g

h i s s o u l f u l c h a r a c t e r a n d r a d i a n t s p i r i t .

“My name is Kota”, 2007. watercolours on paper

O R I G I N A L A R T WO R K

Just like most of Kostas Neoﬁtidi’s artwork his

original illustrations, painted in watercolours,

a c r y l i c a n d i n d i a n i n k , w e r e i n s p i r e d b y

important fragments of his every day life. The

friction with people he brieﬂy met in one of his

journeys, the nature he once habitutated, the

familiar faces he holds dear inside his memory,

the activities he enjoys by the beach are all

interpreted with the unique style of the artist

which is mostly an abstraction and a view on his

ways of looking into the world: a world that he

either temporarily lived in one of his travels or the

world he created, one that is closer to his home.

His original artwork was exhibited in many events

and places, mostly in Nicosia, Cyprus. and all

have a narrative behind. His ﬁrst ones were

created in Haad Yuan Bay back in 2005. Some

of his collections are: “Awakening”, “A Balancing

Act”, “Beach Stories”, inspiring his more recent

line of work in many ways by using diﬀerent

m e d i a a n d m e a n s o f e x p r e s s i o n , .

B A L A N C I N G AC T

“The game is constant, but roles and relationships are

shaped by circumstances. Black must exist, in order for

white to be discerned. In the same way as for bad and

good, misery and joy. Everything shifts and ﬂows, like

the situations we ﬁnd ourselves in. Colour is essential

but not necessary, creating an emotional response,

pinpointing a speciﬁc moment in time. Shapes form

faces and, in turn, faces form relationships. In the

absence of black, white cannot be deﬁned. The game is

constant…”The Balancing Act series was created by the

artist in three parts and in diﬀerent stages of his life. The ﬁrst one was created in Anogyra in Cyprus in

2011. It is comprised out of 8 paintings made in indian

ink and all are in black and white. The main idea

circulating the choice of technique and absent of

colours was to explore the idea of how white cannot

be deﬁned without the presence of black and vice

versa. An idea that methodologically asks for some

kind of balance in the way the painting is constructed

between the shapes and the voids. Free form

geometries and lines form abstract sceneries where

imaginary, generic ﬁgures and animals emerge.

The second part was made in Haad Yuan Thailand in

2011. It is comprised out of 6 square colourful portraits

building on the idea that although colour is not

necessary, elements in colour become speciﬁc both in

identity and in character. And though abstract in the

style of expression, the projected atmosphere and the

visuals construct a narrative which is deeply

connected with the artist’s own stories rather than the

black and white paintings, made in the previous phase,

w h i c h w a s m o r e o p e n f o r i n t e r p r e t a t i o n .

The third and ﬁnal part of the Balancing Act series, is

comprised out of 3 colourful art pieces where the idea

of the white as a non autonomous element becomes

part of a deconstructive method. The two polyptych

pieces describe a narrative where the game between

colour and white is reconﬁgured through abstraction

c r e a t i n g a n e w v i s u a l e x p e r i e n c e .

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A1”, Anogyra, 2011 Indian ink on paper 38 x 50 inch * 97,5 x 128 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A2”, Anogyra, 2011 Indian ink on paper 38 x 50 inch * 97,5 x 128 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A3”, Anogyra, 2011 Indian ink on paper 50 x 38 inch * 128 x 97,5 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A4”, Anogyra, 2011 Indian ink on paper 50 x 38 inch * 128 x 97,5 cm

Exhibition: “A Balancing Act”, Nicosia, 2012

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A9”, Haad Yuan Bay, 2011 Acrylic and Indian ink on paper 49 x 48.5 inch * 125 x 123.5 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A10”, Haad Yuan Bay, 2011 Acrylic and Indian ink on paper 49 x 48.5 inch * 125 x 123.5 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A11, Haad Yuan Bay, 2011 Acrylic and Indian ink on paper 49 x 48.5 inch * 125 x 123.5 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A12, Haad Yuan Bay, 2011 Acrylic and Indian ink on paper 49 x 48.5 inch * 125 x 123.5 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A13, Haad Yuan Bay, 2011 Acrylic and Indian ink on paper 49 x 48.5 inch * 125 x 123.5 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A14, Haad Yuan Bay, 2011 Acrylic and Indian ink on paper 49 x 48.5 inch * 125 x 123.5 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A19”, Haad Yuan Bay, 2012 Acrylic and Indian ink on paper 49 x 69 inch * 125 x 175 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A15-A18”, Haad Yuan Bay, 2012 Acrylic and Indian ink on paper 18.5 x 22.7 inch * 47 x 57.5 cm

Unique Work “Balancing Act no. A20-A28”, Haad Yuan Bay, 2012 Acrylic and Indian ink on paper 18.5 x 22.7 inch * 47 x 57.5 cm

U N D E R WAT E R S E R I E S

The “Underwater” series is a visual celebration of

ﬂuid geometric shapes and colors that compose,

in an imaginary and abstract way, moments,

places and people.The array of forms become

ﬁgurative; an essence of landforms through which

unique beach stories emerge. Although not literal,

the images reveal the artist’s great inspiration, an

a b s t r a c t i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f h i s lo n g v i s i t t o

Thailand’s Ao Chaloklum beach, giving the

feeling of the location. Allygorical shapes and

ﬁgures emerge through strong compositions and

patterns that include the simpliﬁcation of line, form

and relationship of space and color, inﬂuenced by

t h e a r t i s t ’ s a r c h i t e c t u r a l b a c k g r o u n d . T h e i r

intention is to spread positive energy and a bright

outlook which is crucial on an existential level.

Unique Work “Blue Circus”, Ao Chaloklum bay, 2015 Aquarel on paper 51.6 x 22.8 inch * 131 x 58 cm

Unique Work “Sunset Dream”, Ao Chaloklum bay, 2015 Aquarel on paper 51.6 x 22.8 inch * 131 x 58 cm

Unique Work “Dream Car”, Ao Chaloklum bay, 2015 Aquarel on paper 51.6 x 22.8 inch * 131 x 58 cm

Unique Work “Love Guitar”, Ao Chaloklum bay, 2015 Aquarel on paper 22.8 x 51.6 inch * 58 x 131 cm

Unique Work “Tuk-Tuk”, Ao Chaloklum bay, 2015 Aquarel on paper 22.8 x 51.6 inch * 58 x 131 cm

Unique Work “Head Stand”, Ao Chaloklum bay, 2015 Aquarel on paper 22.8 x 51.6 inch * 58 x 131 cm

Unique Work “Café Rasta”, Ao Chaloklum bay, 2015 Aquarel on paper 22.8 x 51.6 inch * 58 x 131 cm

S U N S E T S E R I E S

The “Sunset” series is comprised of two original art pieces

made by watercolours in indian ink that both illustrate the

appearance of the Indian sunset, as it is reﬂected on a Buddha

statue and nature. Moving like a great ocean of light,

vibrating energy and luminous calmness, its rays change

everything it touches creating a unique moment where the

sun as a dynamic element reaches our soul, mind and spirit. 50

Unique Works “Sunset Paradise & Buddha Sunset”, Ao Chaloklum Bay, Thailand, 2016 Watercolour in Indian ink on paper 43.3 x 55 inch * 110 x 140 cm

F I N E A R T P R I N T S

The ﬁne art prints are a visual celebration of the artist’s

connection to speciﬁc moments or spatial experience’s

deriving mostly by his travels. Series such as the Silent

Beach, the Lucky Elephants, the Totem series, the Holi

Portraits and the Underwater series are all driven by a

deep and spiritual place, giving a diﬀerent

representation and view upon the faces and

topographies he once visited. Beyond their non literal

character, their abstract expression is characterized

mostly by a geometrical conﬁguration, while shapes

and colors meet and ﬁgures emerge playfully by the

artist’s own personal creative space. Many of these ﬁne

art prints are limited in numbers, while some of them can

be customized in color and size which makes them even

more unique. for the individual who owns them. They

are produced digitally and are printed in the highest

quality archival paper, speciﬁcally in William Turner

ﬁne art paper 310 gsm, for an ever lasting outcome.

S I L E N T B E AC H

“ S i l e n t B e a c h ” , a s e r i e s o r i g i n a l l y m a d e u s i n g t h e B a t i c l t e c h n i q u e w a s c o n c e i v e d i n S i l e n t B e a c h , Ta n g a l l e , i n S r i L a n k a . T h e e n c l o s e d S i l e n t B e a c h e n r i c h e d w i t h a n e x c e p t i o n a l t o p o g r a p h y , w h e r e t h e g o l d e n s a n d i s o n t h e e d g e o f a f o r e s t o f p a l m t r e e s b e c a m e a p l a c e w o r t h e x p l o r e d b y t h e a r t i s t . T h e f r i c t i o n b e t w e e n t h e s e i d y l l i c s c e n e r i e s t h a t c o m p l i m e n t e a c h o t h e r, a r e r e i m a g i n e d a s a p l a c e w h e r e ﬁ c t i o n a l c h a r a c t e r s e m e r g e a n d b e c o m e p a r t o f t h e l a n d s c a p e . O r i g i n a l l y m a d e w i t h t h e B a t i c t e c h n i q u e , t h e

n e w l i m i t e d e d i t i o n s e r i e s i s p r o d u c e d o n

a r c h i v a l p a p e r ( W i l l i a m Tu r n e r ﬁ n e a r t

p a p e r 3 1 0 g s m ) c r e a t i n g a n e w p e r s p e c t i v e

o f e n g a g i n g w i t h t h e s e c o l o r f u l , a r t p i e c e s .

“Silent Beach”, Tangalle, Sri Lanka, 2018 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 53,5 x 32,3 inch * 136 x 82 cm

“Beach Boys”, Tangalle, Sri Lanka, 2018 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 32 x 55.7 inch * 82 x 141.6 cm

“Prince of the Golden Sands”, Tangalle, Sri Lanka, 2018 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 35.5 x 44,2 inch * 90 x 112,5 cm

“Behind the Coconut Trees”, Tangalle, Sri Lanka, 2018 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 35.5 x 44,2 inch * 90 x 112,5 cm

“Sea Lion”, Tangalle, Sri Lanka, 2018 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 32 x 53 inch * 82 x 134.2 cm

“Underwater”, Tangalle, Sri Lanka, 2018 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 32 x 53 inch * 82 x 134.2 cm

“The Dragon of the Bay”, Tangalle, Sri Lanka, 2018 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 32 x 55.7 inch * 82 x 141.6 cm

“Silent Beach”, 2018, Tangalle, Sri Lanka

T H E L U C KY E L E P H A N T S

“Lucky elephants”, a series originally made using

the Batic technique, was conceived in the cultural

center of Sri Lanka, Kandy Lake. The elephant,

considered sacred in Asia, can be found in

diﬀerent forms, symbolising royalty and good

luck. Within the collection, the very rare and

signiﬁcant animal is reimagined as a god-like

ﬁgure of complex nature, illustrated as a hybrid of

d i ﬀ e r e n t g e o m e t r i e s a n d v i b r a t i n g c o lo r s .

Originally made with the Batic technique, the

new limited edition series is produced on

archival paper (William Turner ﬁne art paper

3 1 0 g s m ) c r e a t i n g a n e w p e r s p e c t i v e o f

engaging with these speciﬁc, colorful, art pieces.

“Lucky Elephant”, Kandy Lake, Sri Lanka, 2018 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 32 x 56 inch * 82 x 143 cm

“Elephant Parade & Elephant Buddha”, Kandy Lake, Sri Lanka, 2018 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 28,5 x 53 inch * 73 x 135 cm

U N D E R WAT E R S E R I E S

The “Underwater” series is a visual celebration of

geometric shapes and colors that compliment

e a c h o t h e r, a d j u s t i n g u n i q u e l y i n a n y

environment or space they become part of.

Although not literal, the images reveal the artist’s

great inspiration, an abstract interpretation of

his long visit to Thailand’s Ao Chaloklum beach,

giving the feeling of the location. All of the titles

have nautical references such as “At the Pier”,

“ S u n s e t B e a c h ” a n d “ U n d e r w a t e r ” .

Their intention is to spread positive energy and a

bright outlook which is crucial on an existential

le v e l . T h e a s s e m b la g e o f f o r m s b e c o m e s

ﬁgurative through which unique beach stories

come to life, Originally made in woven canvas

deriving from hand drawings, the new limited

edition series is produced on archival paper

( W i l l i a m Tu r n e r ﬁ n e a r t p a p e r 3 1 0 g s m )

creating a new perspective of engaging with

t h e s e s p e c i ﬁ c , c o l o r f u l , a r t p i e c e s .

“Kota at the Beach”, Ao Chaloklum, Thailand, 2015 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 20 x 31.5 inch * 51.3 x 80 cm

“Red Dragon” Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 32.5 x 32.5 inch * 83 x 83 cm

“Underwater” Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 57 x 29.5 inch * 145 x 75 cm

“Sunset Beach” Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 57 x 29.5 inch * 145 x 75 cm

“At the Pier” Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 57 x 29.5 inch * 145 x 75 cm

“Untitled”, Ao Chaloklum, Thailand, 2015 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 25.5 x 34 inch * 65 x 86.5 cm

“Taxi Boat”, Ao Chaloklum, Thailand, 2015 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 34 x 25.5 inch * 86.5 x 65 cm

“Subaqua I & II”, Ao Chaloklum, Thailand, 2015 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 34 x 25.5 inch * 86.5 x 65 cm

S O U L S O F S PAC E S E R I E S

T h e s e r i e s i s c o m p r i s e d o f 5 c o l o u r f u l

i m a g e s o f m y t h i c a l c r e a t u r e s t h a t t r a v e l

b e t w e e n t h e s t a r s , w r i t i n g t h e i r o w n h i s t o r y .

T h e y a r e i m a g i n a r y ﬁ g u r e s p r o j e c t e d b y t h e

a r t i s t , e a c h o n e b e l o n g i n g t o i t s o w n u n i q u e

s e t t i n g . D i ﬀ e r e n t c o l o u r s a n d g e o m e t r i c a l

s h a p e s e m e r g e , n a r r a t i n g a s t o r y t h a t i s

u n i q u e t o e a c h c r e a t u r e . I n m a n y c u l t u r e s

m y t h i c a l c r e a t u r e s b e a r e d s i m i l a r i t i e s t o

s p i r i t u a l b e i n g s s u c h a s a n g e l s ,

s y m b o l i s i n g v i r t u e , s t r e n g t h a n d p o w e r.

“Souls of Space no.1 - no.4”, Koh Mak, Thailand, 2014 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 22.5 x 59 inch * 57 x 150 cm

“Souls of Space no.1”, Koh Mak, Thailand, 2014 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 22.5 x 59 inch * 57 x 150 cm

“Souls of Space no.2”, Koh Mak, Thailand, 2014 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 22.5 x 59 inch * 57 x 150 cm

“Souls of Space no.3”, Koh Mak, Thailand, 2014 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 22.5 x 59 inch * 57 x 150 cm

“Souls of Space no.4”, Koh Mak, Thailand, 2014 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 22.5 x 59 inch * 57 x 150 cm

TOT E M S E R I E S

T h e “ To t e m ” s e r i e s d e r i v e s f r o m t h e c o n c e p t o f

t h e “ To t e m ” a s i t w a s i n t r o d u c e d t o t h e a r t i s t i n

t h e i s la n d o f B a l i . To t e m s a r e s p i r i t b e i n g s o r

s a c r e d o bj e c t s a n d a r e u s e d a s s y m b o l s f o r

g u i d a n c e i n l i f e , t h e y g r a n d y o u l u c k , lo v e ,

g o o d h e a l t h a n d p r o t e c t i o n w h i le h o ld i n g

s p e c i ﬁ c r e l i g i o u s a t t r i b u t e s d e p e n d i n g u p o n

t h e i r n a r r a t i v e a n d p l a c e o f c r e a t i o n .

T h e To t e m - l i ke ﬁ g u r e s a r e s e e n i n a n i m a g i n a r y

w a y b y t h e a r t i s t , w i t h i n a c o n t e x t o f c o lo r s a n d

s h a p e s t h a t e a c h o n e n a r r a t e s a s t o r y , w e r e

t h e i d e a o f t h e t o t e m e x i s t s b e t w e e n t h e ﬁ g u r e s

t h a t e m e r g e a n d n a t u r e , d e s i g n e d i n a u n i q u e ,

r a d i a n t w a y , T h e i r d e s i g n i s a l s o r e la t e d t o t h e

p h i lo s o p h y t h a t a t o t e m i s s u bj e c t i v e a n d

c o n n e c t s d i ﬀ e r e n t l y t o e a c h p e r s o n , ,

104

“Totem no.2”, Ubud, Indonesia, 2017 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 21,6 x 50,5 inch * 55 x 128,3 cm

“Totem no.1”, Ubud, Indonesia, 2017 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 21,6 x 50,5 inch * 55 x 128,3 cm

“Totem no.3”, Ubud, Indonesia, 2017 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 21,6 x 50,5 inch * 55 x 128,3 cm

“Totem no.4”, Ubud, Indonesia, 2017 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 21,6 x 50,5 inch * 55 x 128,3 cm

“Totem no.5”, Ubud, Indonesia, 2017 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 21,6 x 50,5 inch * 55 x 128,3 cm

“Kota in the Jungle”, Koh Maak, 2017 Limited Illuminated portrait

I N T H E J U N G L E

T h e “ I n t h e J u n g l e ” s e r i e s i s c h a r a c t e r i s e d b y

l i v e l y c o l o r s a n d b o l d , g e o m e t r i c s h a p e s t h a t

f o r m a ﬁ g u r a t i v e a n d l a n d - f o r m e s s e n c e ,

t h r o u g h w h i c h u n i q u e j u n g l e s t o r i e s e m e r g e .

T h e s t o r i e s a r e n a r r a t e d b y t r i b a l ﬁ g u r e s a s a

n o s t a l g i c g e s t u r e b y t h e a r t i s t t o r e - v i s i t t h e

i d e a o f t h e t r i b a l o r n a m e n t , n o t a n y m o r e a s a

s c u l p t u r e b u t a s a n i l l u s t r a t i o n . S u c h ﬁ g u r e s

a r e s a i d b y m a n y c u l t u r e s t o b r i n g g o o d l u c k

a n d p o s i t i v e e n e r g y t o t h e o w n e r ’ s l i f e . ,

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“Kota in the Jungle”, Koh Mak, Thailand, 2017 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 35.5 x 55 inch * 90 x 139 cm

“Parents & the King”, Koh Mak, Thailand, 2017 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 20 x 57.5 inch * 50.5 x 146.3 cm

“Love in the Jungle”, Koh Mak, Thailand, 2017 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 21.7 x 48.5 inch * 55 x 122.7 cm

D R E A M S I N B N W

T h e “ D r e a m s i n B l a c k a n d W h i t e ” s e r i e s i s a

v i s u a l c e l e b r a t i o n o f g e o m e t r i c a l s h a p e s

a n d ﬁ g u r e s i n b l a c k a n d w h i t e . E a c h i m a g e

d e s c r i b e s a s p e c i ﬁ c m o m e n t i n t i m e , e i t h e r

a n a c t i v i t y , a ﬁ g u r e , a f r a g m e n t o f t h e c i t y ,

i n t e r p r e t e d d i ﬀ e r e n t l y b y e a c h i n d i v i d u a l .

T h e a r t i s t d e s c r i b e s t h i s s e r i e s b y r e f e r r i n g

t o i t a s t h e n e c e s s i t y o f o p p o s i t e s .

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“Dreams in BnW no.9”, Anogyra, Cyprus, 2016 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 35.5 x 50 inch * 90 x 124 cm

“Dreams in BnW no.1 - no.4”, Anogyra, Cyprus, 2016 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 11 x 26.5 inch * 28 x 41.5 cm

T H E H O L I P O R T R A I T S

The “HolI Portraits”, is a series celebrating the

Holi, known as the Indian "festival of spring", the

"festival of colours", or the "festival of love". The

portraits are fragments of the artist’s own

personal experience of this ancient festival

where “Godlike” ﬁgures emerge through vibrant,

radiant and colorful backgrounds ready to

claim the open streets, parks and temples and

buildings, spreading love, positivity and prayers.

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“Holi Portraits”, Patnem Beach, South India, 2018 Limited edition print (archival paper) Signed, numbered and stamped 26 x 26 inch * 66 x 66 cm

P L AY F U L S C U L PT U R E S

The “Playful Sculptures”, a new addition to Kota

Collections, designed by Kostas Neoﬁtidis is

comprised by four diﬀerent, colourful and vibrant

sculptures. The sculptures are expressing the

philosophy that a piece of art is always changing

and the relationship between the artist and his

creation is a never ending game. Art and thus a

piece of art is not static. And so, these unique

creations were designed intentionally as an

assemblage of colourful pieces, as fragments, to

project an adaptive atmosphere to the person

e x p e r i e n c i n g t h e m . T h r o u g h o u t h i s t o r y , t h e

traditional ways of constructing a sculpture had

mostly to do with capturing a one dimensional

image and one speciﬁc moment of time. Kostas

Neoﬁtidis, through this new collection, creates a

new platform for problematisation. The “Playful

Sculptures” presented as an archipelago of four

p i e c e s , c o u l d b e s e p a r a t e d a n d s t a n d

autonomously whereas each one can adapt and

become functional or not to one’s space. And just

like many other pieces of art designed by the artist,

the use of colour is a protagonist giving a unique

form, character and emotion to each sculpture. ,

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Description: Primary coloured - handcrafted piece made by a combination of solid wood

and medium-density ﬁbreboard, lacquered with dead matt varnish.

D: 175 x 60 x 60 cm

Photographic Elevations of the “Playful Sculpture”

Description: Primary coloured - handcrafted piece made by a combination of solid wood

and medium-density ﬁbreboard, lacquered with dead matt varnish.

D: 90 x 30 x 30 cm

Photographic Elevations of the “Playful Sculpture”

Description: Primary coloured - handcrafted piece made by a combination of solid wood

and medium-density ﬁbreboard, lacquered with dead matt varnish.

D: 140 x 45 x 45 cm

Photographic Elevations of the “Playful Sculpture”

Description: Primary coloured - handcrafted piece made by a combination of solid wood

and medium-density ﬁbreboard, lacquered with dead matt varnish.

D: 75 x 75 x 35 cm

Photographic Elevations of the “Playful Sculpture”

WOV E N A R T

Kostas Neoﬁtidis, through his dedicated journeys in

Southeast Asia has created a threshold between

knowledge and expression where contemporary art

meets tradition in his woven art pieces. His collection

of series include: the Green and Red Rays, Sol, the

Cosmos, Himalayan Cafe and his 21 limited edition of

Silk pieces. While many of his designs vary in texture,

many of the collections such as the Red Rays have

been made with both wool and silk in an explorative

way to create limited and unique pieces. Although

they narrate diﬀerent stories, they are all set to give a

diﬀerent atmosphere and perspective to the place

they become part of. The designs manifest as a re-

interpretation of the artist’s connection to speciﬁc

moments and places in time. In contradiction to what

m a y s e e m t o s o m e o r d i n a r y a n d b a n a l ,

Bhaktapur, Nepal 2017

everydayness is brought to life. A walk through the

great topography of the Jungle, experiencing the

magnetic vibration of the red Indian Sunset, tracing

the shades of the Sun, discovering the centre of your

own self while embracing the chaos, bringing the

waters of the never ending blue ocean to life, are

moments resurfaced, in a phenomenological and

p e r s o n a l w a y , t h r o u g h t h e a r t i s t ’ s e y e s .

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T H E R AY S S E R I E S

1.1 GREEN RAYS T h e s i g n i ﬁ c a n c e o f c o lo r s p la y a n i m p o r t a n t r o l e t o t h e h u m a n a u r a , t h o u g h t s a n d e m o t i o n s , c o l le c t e d a n d e x p r e s s e d b y t h e h u m a n b o d y a n d h i s s u r r o u n d i n g i n t h e f o r m o f r a y s . T h e s e r i e s r e i m a g i n e s t h e v i b r a t i n g c o lo r s a n d t h e h a r m o n i o u s t o p o g r a p h y o f t h e I n d i a n J u n g le . G r e e n , a s i n t r o d u c e d w i t h i n t h e c o l l e c t i o n t i t l e d : G r e e n R a y s r e p r e s e n t s p e a c e , b a l a n c e a n d n a t u r e , s a c r e d e x i s t e n t i a l n e c e s s i t i e s o f t h e h u m a n c o n d i t i o n . M a n d r e m , S o u t h I n d i a , 2 01 6

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The Green Rays series comprised of 3 hand-knotted woven art

pieces, is ethically produced in the ancient city of Bhaktapur in

Nepal using the Tibetan carpet-making technique. The

process is deﬁned by giving emphasis on precision, the

ﬁnishing of the edges and detailing, while introducing a higher

k n o t d e n s i t y t h a n w h a t i s c o m m o n l y u s e d .

A detailed photograph of the patterns, textures and color palletes of

one of the series’s woven pieces.

All pieces are double knotted and are made from 100% Tibetan wool. Density: 200 knots per square inch Thickness: 0,15 inch * 0,4 cm

T H E R AY S S E R I E S

1.2 RED RAYS The signiﬁcance of colors play an important role to the human aura, thoughts and emotions, collected and expressed by the human body and h i s s u r r o u n d i n g i n t h e f o r m o f r a y s . R e d s y m b o l i z e s l i f e , s t r e n g t h a n d v i t a l i t y . Connected to the element of ﬁre, essence and energy, Red Ray is a positive magnetic vibration radiating with courage and optimism just like the colours and shades of the red Indian sunset. Mandrem, South India, 2016

158

The Red Rays series, comprised of 5 hand-knotted woven

pieces, is ethically produced in the ancient city of Bhaktapur

in Nepal using the Tibetan carpet-making technique. The

process is deﬁned by giving emphasis on precision, the

ﬁnishing of the edges and detailing, while introducing a

higher knot density than what is commonly used.

A detailed photograph of the patterns, textures and color palletes of one of

the series’s woven pieces.

All pieces are double knotted and are made from 100% Tibetan wool or silk.

Density: 200 knots per square inch

Thickness: 0.15 inch * 0.4cm

T H E S U N S E T S E R I E S

2.1 SUNSET The signiﬁcance of colors play an important role to the human aura, thoughts and emotnions, collected and expressed by the human body a n d h i s s u r r o u n d i n g i n t h e f o r m o f r a y s . The series reimagines the colors, shades of the Indian sunset. The sun, as a dynamic element, reaches our soul, mind and spirit. Color radiates from its movement like a great ocean of light, v i b r a t i n g e n e r g y a n d l u m i n o u s c a l m n e s s . Ashvem beach, South India, 2016

162

The Sunset series, comprised of 4 hand-knotted woven pieces,

is ethically produced in the ancient city of Bhaktapur in

Nepal using the Tibetan carpet-making technique. The

process is deﬁned by giving emphasis on precision, the

ﬁnishing of the edges and detailing, while introducing a

higher knot density than what is commonly used.

A detailed photograph of the patterns, textures and color palletes of

one of the series’s woven pieces.

All pieces are double knotted and are made from 100% Tibetan wool.

Density: 200 knots per square inch

Thickness: 0.15 inch * 0.4cm

3.1 HIMALAYAN CAFE T h e c o l le c t i o n o f 2 1 a r t w o r k s , d e s i g n e d a t t h e p i c t u r e s q u e H i m a la y a n C a f é t h a t o v e r lo o k s t h e P o k h a r a l a ke ( 2 01 4 ) , r e i m a g i n e s t h e c o lo r s a n d t h e e x i s t i n g l i f e s u r r o u n d i n g i t . T h e s h a p e a n d t h e s i z e o f t h e p i e c e s w a s i n s p i r e d b y t h e r u g s u s e d f o r t h e r i t u a l s o f Ti b e t a n m o n a s t i c i s m – s i t t i n g a n d m e d i t a t i n g .

166

This unique piece of woven art is part of the Himalayan

Café collection. Calm Fish is a part of the 21 hand-knotted

pieces that can be joined together to create a desired

surface, creating a variation in size, colors and patterns. It

has been ethically produced in the ancient city of Bhaktapur

in Nepal using the Tibetan carpet-making technique.

A detailed photograph of the patterns, textures and color palletes of one of

the series’s woven pieces.

All pieces are double knotted and are made from 100% Tibetan wool or silk.

Density: 200 knots per square inch

Thickness: 0.15 * 0.4cm

4.1 COSMOS This series was concieved creatively in Haad-Yuan beach in Thailand. It reimagines the fascinating people in dreadlocks exploring like etheric forces the earth. It is comprised out of 3 pieces. “Cosmos” refers to both the spiritual and physical world, “Cosmic Rasta” is more related to these extraordinary ﬁgures’s spiritual center which is driven by their need for “freedom” and “His Land” celebrates the sense of b e lo n g i n g a n d o c c u p a t i o n o f s p a c e t h e s e individuals claim. The idea of “Cosmos” as a series of narratives, connected to the “rasta” ﬁgures, is an homage to the people and relationships we make in our own journey of self discovery, that emerge s p o n t a n e o u s l y i n o u r l i v e s . Haad-Yuan, Thailand 2012

170

The Cosmos series consists of 3 hand-knotted wool or silk pieces:

Cosmos, Cosmic Rasta and His Land. It is ethically produced in

the ancient city of Bhaktapur in Nepal using the Tibetan carpet-

making technique. The process is deﬁned by giving emphasis on

precision, the ﬁnishing of the edges and detailing, while

introducing a higher knot density than what is commonly used.

A detailed photograph of the patterns, textures and color palletes of one of

the series’s woven pieces.

All pieces are double knotted and are made from 100% Tibetan wool or silk.

Density: 200 knots per square inch

Thickness: 0.15 * 0.4cm

5.1 The Silk Series Kostas Neofitidis introduces a collection of handknotted silk carpets. These art pieces are destined to enhance interior décor, whether used as floor coverings or wall hangings. Certain pieces were originally designed to work in pairs, encouraging flexibility and creativity in how they are arranged. Beyond the unique designs that are part of this series, designs from other series have also been m a d e b y s i l k s u c h a s t h e “ C o s m o s ” .

174

A detailed photograph of the patterns, textures and color palletes of

one of the series’s silk pieces.

All pieces are double knotted and are made from 100% Tibetan silk.

Density: 200 knots per square inch

Thickness: 0.15 inch * 0.4cm

“Blue ﬁsh”

D: 31.5 x 63 inch * 80 x 160 cm

“The dancer & the dog”

D: 31.5 x 63 inch * 80 x 160 cm (x2)

“Cityscape”

D: 31.5 x 63 inch * 80 x 160 cm

“Cosmos”

D: 108 inch * 275 cm

“Verde”

D: 78.5 x 39 inch * 200x 100 cm (x2)

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CERAMICS

Kostas Neoﬁtidis created a threshold between art and

architecture, mastering the art of ceramic creation.

His series include: the Jungleur, the Kaleido Blue and

Kaleido Dreams, Moods and Blue Moods the 2

Mandalas and Dreams . Although the series narrate

diﬀerent stories, they are all set to give a diﬀerent

atmosphere and perspective to the place they

become part of. The visuals manifest as a re-

interpretation of the artist’s connection to speciﬁc

moments and places in time. In contradiction to what

may seem to some ordinary and banal, everydayness

is brought to life. Becoming one with your dreams, the

visual eﬀects of a kaleidoscope, feeling joy while

being part of a crowd, the endless blue of the

mediterranean, the detailed and symbolic design of

the mandalas are some of the moments revealed

through the artist’s unique and limited creations.

This speciﬁc artwork is made by 100% porcelain,

manufactured in the UK and the unique illustrations of the

artist’s are then silk printed. These pieces designed by Kostas

Neoﬁtidis are mostly trays and plates of diﬀerent sizes, colors

and shapes, that can be used either in a functional way or

as pieces of art that decorate one’s personal space.

1.1 MANDALAS Mandalas is comprised of four, diﬀerent in design,

round ceramic plates. As a series, it is inspired by

the mandala patterns of Eastern cultures and the

idea of projecting alternative ways of visual

reading that is objective and diﬀerent for each

individual. The designs are the result of diverse

assemblages of geometrical shapes developed

within a circle – a shape that represents the self,

t h e E a r t h , t h e S u n a n d t h e C o s m o s . The series was originally designed in Anogyra,

Cyprus in 2015.

190

Printing: silk-screen

Size: 12 inch * 31 cm diameter

100% porcelain

T H E M O O D S S E R I E S

2.1 MOODS Moods is comprised of 6 black and white, diﬀerent in design, round ceramic plates. As a series, it is inspired by the abstract idea of mood, a s a n e m o t i o n a l s t a t e p r o v o ke d b y e v e n t s occurring in our everyday lives. Constantly changing, depending upon the perspective, the M o o d s s e r i e s i s e x p r e s s e d b y g e o m e t r i c a l shapes and lines that form a circle, were each plate compliments each other, projecting a d i ﬀ e r e n t e m o t i o n t o e a c h i n d i v i d u a l . The series was originally designed in Anogyra, Cyprus in 2016.

192

Printing: silk-screen

Diameter: 12 inch * 31 cm

100% porcelain

A detailed photograph of the series’s ceramic plates.

T H E M O O D S S E R I E S

2.2 BLUE MOODS Similar to the Moods series, Blue Moods, is comprised of 6 blue, diﬀerent in design, round ceramic plates. As a series, it is inspired by the colors and shades of the Mediterranean Sea and the abstract idea of mood, as an emotional state provoked by events occurring in our everyday lives. Constantly changing just like the waters of our beloved sea, the Blue Moods series is expressed by geometrical shapes and lines that form a circle, were each plate compliments each other, projecting a diﬀerent emotion every time, depending upon the perspective of the individual. The series was originally designed in Anogyra, Cyprus in 2016.

196

Printing: silk-screen

Diameter: 12 inch * 31 cm

100% porcelain

A detailed photograph of the series’s ceramic plates.

T H E K A L E I D O S E R I E S

3.1 KALEIDO BLUE Kaleido Blue, is comprised of five, different in design, round ceramic plates. As a series, it is inspired by the blue of the Mediterranean Sea and the Kaleidoscope, the optical instrument, which is used by reflecting light upon a mirror. The plates may have an autonomous presence defined by its different patterns but when placed on top to each other, they create alternative visual images and emotional plateaus, similar to t h e o n e s p r oj e c t e d b y t h e K a le i d o s c o p e . The series was originally designed in Anogyra, Cyprus in 2018.

200

Printing: silk-screen

Size: 6.5 inch, 8.3 inch, 10 inch, 11 inch, 12.2 inch * 17cm, 21cm, 25cm, 28cm, 31cm

100% porcelain

A detailed photograph of the series’s ceramic plates.

T H E K A L E I D O S E R I E S

3.2 KALEIDO DREAMS Kaleido Dreams is comprised of three colorful, different in design, square ceramic plates. As a series, it is inspired by the Kaleidoscope, the optical instrument, which is used by reflecting light upon a mirror. The plates may have an autonomous presence defined by its different patterns but when p la c e d o n t o p t o e a c h o t h e r, t h e y c r e a t e alternative visual images and emotional plateaus, similar to the ones projected by the Kaleidoscope. T h e s e r i e s w a s o r i g i n a l l y d e s i g n e d i n K o h M a k I s la n d i n 2 01 7 .

204

Printing: silk-screen

Size: 10.5 inch, 8.5 inch, 5 inch * 26,5 cm, 21,5 cm, 13 cm

100% porcelain

A detailed photograph of the series’s ceramic plates.

4.1 Dreams

Dreams 2 as a series, consists two square ceramic plates that symbolize the threshold between present and future while one struggles to ﬁnd his place within the physical world. Dreams, as successions of images, ideas, emotions and sensations are meant to be the compass for any i n d i v i d u a l ’ s j o u r n e y o f s e l f - d i s c o v e r y . The series was originally designed in Anogyra, Cyprus in 2015.

208

Printing: silk-screen

Size: 7.5 x 7.5 inch * 19 x 19 cm

100% porcelain

5.1 JONGLEUR The “Jongleur”, as a series, is comprised of three black and white rectangular ﬁne bone china trays. Although they vary both in shape and in design, the trays compliment each other. Projecting a sense of constant motion, ﬁgures and objects emerge, inspired by the itinerant entertainer Jongleur who spread joy and amusement with his dramatic tricks, music, acrobatics and more importantly with his most popular performance: a c t o f j u g g l i n g a n d m a n i p u la t i n g o bj e c t s . The series was originally designed in Bali, in 2019.

210

Silk-screen on Fine bone china

Sizes: 3.34 x 6.7 inch, 4.5 x 9 inch, 5.5 x 11.2 inch * 8.5 x 17 cm, 11.5 x 23 cm, 14 x 28.5 cm

100% porcelain

212

P U B L I C A T I O N S & E X H I B I T I O N S

December 2019: Participation at the Aqua Art Miami 2019 Fair, Florida, Miami September 2019: Exhibited the project titled “Playful Sculptures” at the “Meet my Project” event in Paris Design week. Scenography by Hiroshi Nakayama. Visual Identity by Massimo Colonna. December 2017: Exhibition titled “Batic Art”, Kota Art Gallery, Nicosia November, 2017: “The case of the Cypriot Designer: Kostas Neofitidis”, article and interview by Meropi Kokkinou, LIFO June, 2017: “On adopte #5 : le style Art Déco”, art pieces featured in Elle April, 2017: “Kota Collections: Printed Art Panels with a Colorful, Positive Message”, article featured in USA Art News December 2016: Exhibition titled “A unique Art journey”, Kota Art Gallery, Nicosia December 2016: “The Yatzer Round-up #8 | Editor's Picks”, art pieces featured in Yatzer magazine February 2016: “Kostas Neofitidis’ artwork awakens in “Kota” textile series”, article by Lenny Smith, KNSTRCT January 2016, “Kota Collection by Kostas Neofitidis”, art pieces and article featured in OPUMO January 2016, “Kota Collections: Printed Art Panels with a Colorful, Positive Message”, article by Sara Panagiotopoulou, Yatzer magazine April 2015: Exhibition titled “Underwater”, Kota Art Gallery, Nicosia November 2012: Exhibition titled “A Balancing Act”, Famagusta Gate, Nicosia November 2009: Exhibition titled “Beach Stories”, Kota Art Gallery, Nicosia

C O N TAC T I N F O R M AT I O N

KOTA GALLERY

Email: info@kotaartgallery.com

Telephone: +357 22 663067, +357 99 224667

Address: 26-32 Ariadnes Street, 1010, Nicosia, Cyprus

Website: www.kostasneofitidis.com

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K O S T A S N E O F I T I D I S . C O M