Exhibition: The Worlds of Cyprus

The exhibition “The Worlds of Cyprus”, curated by Christina Lambrou, is currently on display at the Filoxenia Conference Centre under the aegis of the 2026 Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Over sixty works dating from different time periods and representing a variety of artistic disciplines and genres have been grouped into thematic units focusing on the various aspects of the ‘worlds of Cyprus’.

The curator’s approach uses chronological strata of works of art recording landscapes, the human form and relationships to cast light on the social and historical influences that have shaped the island’s artistic production.

The large section on display in the Olive Conference Hall contains some of the earliest pictorial representations of life in Cyprus by local artists. At its centre are three drawings from the extensive œuvre of Adamantios Diamantis (1900-1994) recording scenes from rural Cyprus, which later served as the basis for the composition of the work “The World of Cyprus” (1967-1972). The title of this monumental work is also referenced in the exhibition’s title, but the use of the plural emphasises the importance of coexistence and interaction.

The works are positioned in such a way within each section as to establish a dialogue between them and to command the spectator’s attention, forming an open sphere documenting memory, social shifts, political tensions and artistic endeavours. Each work of art maintains its own specificity, while at the same time interacting with the rest of the collection. The works maintain their autonomy, while simultaneously prompting the visitor to view and understand them in a new light as they encounter them.

The different sections focus on themes such as the land and agriculture, landscape, memory, movement and also include abstract and geometric compositions. They also encompass concepts such as non-linearity and relational thinking, forming a unified yet multilayered experience. The use of the plural in the title “The Worlds of Cyprus” emphasises the importance of coexistence, multiplicity and allowing multiple voices to be heard.

The compositions invite the viewer into a game of associations and multiple readings, shaping a visual narrative made up of many different voices. New interpretative approaches emerge through the chronological and stylistic juxtapositions: works from the early twentieth century converse with later and contemporary artistic practices, avoiding the linear narrative of history and highlighting deeper affinities or tensions. By juxtaposing works from different eras and artistic styles, the exhibition emphasises the ongoing transformation of the Cypriot experience, as reflected in the works of Cypriot artists.

This exhibition is on display at the Filoxenia Conference Centre under the aegis of the 2026 Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU and is not open to the general public.