ART & SOUL

ART & SOUL

text MELISSA HEKKERS

Tucked in the small village of Fasoula only a few kilometres outside Limassol, Art Nest is a gallery that will inspire you with its rare and powerful beauty. Visit it and find out why the Cypriot sculptor Philippos Yiapanis describes it as “the temple of my soul”.

Philippos Yiapanis tells the story of his life and the history of Cyprus in his bronze and marble sculptures.

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The awardwinning modern gallery is a lifelong project that began some 20 years ago.

© Silvio Augusto Rusmigo

A long line of Cypress trees lead the way to the realms of Art Nest, a contemporary arts centre in the village of Fasoula, about 8km north of the town of Limassol. A centrepiece of the village, this idyllic location embraces the work and soul of Cyprus born sculptor, Philippos Yiapanis. It is the foundation of his dream, his desire to create a platform for Cyprus culture, for everyone on the island and throughout the region to enjoy.

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Temple of the soul

The award-winning modern structure which houses some 150 bronze and marble sculptures is the lifelong project Yiapanis began some 20 years ago. At the time, Yiapanis made a very conscious decision to create the “temple of my soul” as he eloquently says; a place where he would not only home his workshop but also reach out to people and share the stories he tells through his works.

© Silvio Augusto Rusmigo

Facing the main building lies the garden, the ‘sculpture park’ as Yiapanis likes to call it, a sandstone paved setting looking out towards the quaint village of Fasoula. A miniature amphitheatre, dedicated to Salamina in the occupied area of Cyprus, and a pond lead the way through the countless, grand pieces of sculpted artwork – or stories, one should say.

The building’s design is an abstract marriage of two themes close to the artist’s heart: ships and women. Ships symbolize a journey, any and all the journeys that create the puzzle of each individual’s life. And without women, life is unthinkable. In fact, the building itself could be regarded as the artist’s biggest ‘sculpture’ of all.

© VASSOS STYLIANOU

The artist and his art

Meet the artist and he will tell you his own story: a Greek Cypriot refugee from Famagusta who made Limassol his home after the island’s division. His philosophy is very clear: “Art is not merely what you see; it is what is hidden in an artist’s soul. It is an expression of life.” Indeed, he is firmly convinced that a life of calm and comfort will produce serene works, while the more troubled waters of life will trigger more powerful works. This theory is reflected in Yiapanis’s own work. He says: “My first works relate to the 1974 invasion and the occupation,” he says. Yet it is perhaps the monuments he has created that reveal more of his inner world and his desire to record the history of his country, Cyprus. “I try to inspire my visitors to think about what is hidden behind each piece of work, each story,” says Yiapanis pointing to two sculptures. “That, for example, is Eleni: she represents Cyprus of 1974 when we were proud; and that’s Eleni of 2013…” he says, referring to the thin, elegant yet weak figure representing Cyprus during the financial crisis. Other monuments pay tribute to national heroes. Every creation carries a thought-provoking message. Bronze and marble structures evoke contemplation and simultaneously awaken a certain nostalgic beauty; the connotations of a labour of love.

© Silvio Augusto Rusmigo

As you walk around and admire each piece in turn, you will have to agree with Yiapanis: Art is indeed a reflection of the artist’s soul. By extension, artists are born, not made. The formal study of art will never make a person an artist. It will only facilitate or accelerate a person’s ability to create – to convert into tangible work what is already there, in the soul.

International acclaim

Yiapanis has had numerous group and solo exhibitions. His sculptures are found in private collections both in Cyprus and abroad, and over a dozen of his sculptures can be seen in prime public spaces across the island and overseas. His “Olympic Spirit” was among the 110 “excellent works” in the 2008 International Olympic Landscape Sculpture Contest. This sculpture was also selected by the Chinese Postal Services – from among 3000 submissions – to decorate a Special Edition Album dedicated to the Olympic Games. One will also find a replica standing outside the Olympic House in Nicosia, for which he was awarded the ‘Sports and Arts’ prize by the International Olympic Committee; a representation of Athena holding the Olympic rings in one hand and a pigeon symbolising peace in the other. In December 2007 Yiapanis took part in the Florence Biennale in Italy with three bronze sculptures.

© DEC AUDIOVISUAL

Some years after his initial idea of creating an ‘art nest’ for his work, Yiapanis moved beyond his own means of expression and decided to open up his premises to other artists.

“The aim of the centre of arts is to welcome its neighbours – from Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Egypt, Morocco – and to introduce them to the culture of Cyprus,” he attests.

From venue to legacy

Furthermore, Art Nest serves as a venue for selected private functions or public events. In the evening, the sculpture park is quite enchanting; the amphitheatre hosts music, poetry readings and theatre. Companies choose this setting for seminars or exclusive gala dinners.

Fundraising events are also often held here, in some subliminal way complementing the centre’s mission of service and struggle. And from time to time, artists from neighbouring countries contribute to Yiapanis’s vision, whether through sculptures, paintings, ceramics or glass work. The type of medium is secondary; in Yiapanis’s eyes, what matters is what is left behind.

He says: “This place does not belong to me; it belongs to my country. Because when I leave, I want this place to stay for future generations. I would like to believe that during my stay in Limassol, which has been hosting me for so many years, I have managed to leave something behind,” something that is both powerful and beautiful.