Invitation to Art

LIMASSOL | GALLERIES

70 | AMATHUS MAGAZINE

TEXTMICHAELA MOBLEY

INVITATION

T

O

ART

ADDING ART AND CULTURE TO THE LIST OF HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES WILL

ALLOW YOU TO DISCOVER THE CREATIVITY AND OFTEN THE HERITAGE

OF A CITY. FROM A CORNUCOPIA OF SPECIALIST GALLERIES IN

LIMASSOL, WE INTRODUCE THREE VERY DIFFERENT SPACES AND THEIR

OWNERS FOR A GENUINE CONNECTION TO CYPRIOT ART.

AMATHUS MAGAZINE | 71

LIMASSOL | GALLERIES

CERTIFICATES OF AUTHENTICITY SIGNED BY THE ARTISTS INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN

BOTH THE ART AND THE GALLERY.

HOME OF INTERNATIONAL ART Petros Michaelides is a collector of masterpieces, an artist himself, and owner of the famous Peter’s Gallery International Art Centre. His personal approach is shown in the hundreds of works over three floors of this purpose-built gallery, the first of its kind in Limassol when erected in 1973. The walls are peppered with famous originals from Andreas Charalambidis – the most expensive paintings of any living Cypriot artist – and the deceased Xanthos Hatzisotireiou, whose work from 1983 is shown exclusively at Peter’s. Other collectables include works from Russians Vladimir Alejeikine and Sergei Alexandrov. Apart from putting such art on display, Petros has also established relationships with the artists themselves. He explains, “A good person will mirror their character in their work, so I always view the art first then ask about credentials. When I first met S Sam Park from Korea in 1984, he called from Greece and sent samples. I was so impressed that we met and I displayed his work. It has been fantastic working with him over the years, and so far three mayors, business clients and residents from Limassol Marina have bought pieces. Now he has found fame in the US and I still follow his progress.” As an artist and exceptional silk-screen printer, Petros’s success is rooted in the hard-fought early days. “From the age of 13 I was already working, earning four shillings a week and dreaming of becoming a blacksmith. But at 15 I realized that art was my future. For three years I pursued a correspondence course with a French art school based in Greece. I took exams, qualified, then built my gallery. For 10 years I ran the gallery alongside the blacksmith’s workshop. Finally, in 1983, I was able to leave the anvil and concentrate solely on art. Every day I come here because I need to, this is my life. My son, Stelios, helps and he too is an artist doing his Master of Arts. I was the third child of four and I followed art; Stelios is the third of four too, so it seems that art is in our DNA, literally.” At Peter’s gallery, collectors return again and again. “I have clients from the American and Russian embassies, and when I ask them why they prefer my gallery, their reply is always the same: ‘we checked; your reputation is excellent’.” This valuable endorsement along with Certificates of Authenticity signed by the artists inspires confidence in both the art and the gallery. Special auctions average 100 paintings from celebrated artists such as Nikos Engonopoulos, Dimitris Mytaras, Michael Owen and Nicos Nicolaides.

72 | AMATHUS MAGAZINE

LIMASSOL | GALLERIES

“SOCIETY IS AS CIVILIZED AS

ITS PEOPLE; WE REACH EXISTENCE

THROUGH ART.”

COLLECTOR’S NIRVANA When Rebecca Toliarides arrived in Cyprus from Romania in 2009, she was already deeply entrenched in the art world and ready to establish The Collection Gallery, first in Nicosia and then recently in Limassol. The Collection Gallery is exactly this, a collection of some of the most prominent artists of Cyprus, Europe, Russia, Greece and further afield. Rebecca brings together the exceptional; art collectors will find their next investment, and novices can choose beautiful pieces to decorate their homes. The work of recognized artists fills the large space facing the Limassol seafront in an atmosphere that allows depth of view. Rebecca explains, “Our portfolio mirrors the diversity of the Limassol population, providing a level playing field to artists like Robert Combas, the pioneer of figuration libre in France, Greek expressionist Dimitris Mytaras, abstractionist Ludmila Budanov from Russia, and the contemporary Alekos Fassianos from Greece.” Often the exhibitions are challenging in nature, with pieces that are set to provoke emotionally or politically. Rebecca grew up with this approach, becoming a collector herself as a child in post-revolution Romania. “I saved my pocket money and bought my first painting in 1989 – a Pacea. Then I persuaded a neighbour to sell me a Piliuta. This was the start of learning what it means to be a collector, as Pacea lost value due to his connections with the old communist regime, while Piliuta gained.” A hard lesson that Rebecca refers to today as she looks for investment opportunities for her clients. She trained in finance and travelled as a student, going to every art-related event available, surrounding herself with art and watching, almost waiting, till the time was right. And from this background, she also recognized an essential element of appreciation: that children need art. “In Paris, families go to galleries on Sundays; in the US and Spain, museums include children’s workshops. There are studies indicating that children who are not introduced to art by the age of 10 find it difficult to engage as adults. So, here in Cyprus, we invite schoolchildren to paint in our galleries surrounded by masterpieces for inspiration.” Rebecca is passionate about this approach, saying: “Society is as civilized as its people; we reach existence through art.” The Collection Gallery’s calendar for summer 2018 features a solo exhibition of Mateo Christou, followed by group events presenting English artists then Greek artists, and the work of the Cypriot artist Andros Efstathiou.

74 | AMATHUS MAGAZINE

LIMASSOL | GALLERIES

“WE HAVE CURATED OVER

100 EXHIBITIONS

IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, MANY PROMOTING A

SPECIAL INTEREST IN THE NEXT

GENERATION.”

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Across two floors of a beautifully converted town house, the Rouan Gallery is filled with stunning works from national artists. It is an intimate space where the viewer can fall in love with a painting, get close to a creation and meet the artist to discuss the depths of the piece. This is the environment that owner Varvara Pastidou generates. “We want to be the connection between the artist and the collector,” she says. “Artists need a home for their work, and the collector needs a place to establish a relationship with art. We close the triangle of artist, gallery and spectator; if these are in a straight line, there is no communication; but as a loop, emotion is engaged and a real purpose comes to light.” The enigmatic Varvara is a patron especially to young artists, and after 20 years, she is still as passionate about their potential as she is appreciative of her established artists. “We have curated over 100 exhibitions in the last 20 years, many promoting a special interest in the next generation. Artists such as Maria Koudouna, Tatiana Ferahian, Yiorgos Gerondides; we all grew up together as gallery and artists. After two decades, we still enjoy each other’s success.” Starting as a frame shop, the Rouan has changed exponentially with Varvara at the helm. “Through the eyes of a collector friend we started to see a different side to paintings. And as most of our artists are friends, it is through them that I have changed my culture, my need to learn and feel and be honest about the value of art.” She explains further: “My grandfather was from Alexandria, and every week he took me to the theatre, to a gallery or an exhibition dressed in my best attire and on best behaviour. So my earliest memories are of art, and it is this that has led me on this path of passion. Being in Cyprus, a country that expounds centuries of art from copper artisans to the fine art of today, I realized quickly that art is in our DNA. It is out of respect for the past and the future that we exhibit different styles, but always art that I love; ceramics and figurative art from Irene Zenonos, the detailed work of Electra Varnava, and the vibrant colours of Kelly Norman, to name but a few.” A permanent exhibition graces the wall of the Rouan with spotlights on solo shows throughout the year. The gallery opens from Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings, though Varvara is available through social media for appointments.

76 | AMATHUS MAGAZINE