Contemporary Art from Cyprus: Politics, Identities, and Cultures across Borders

Contemporary Art from Cyprus explores notions of identity, regionalism, and the global and local in contemporary art practice, providing a theoretical and historical framework that frames and contextualizes art practices from Cyprus while relating them back to the international art world. It investigates numerous current and pressing issues, including art as capital, the emergence of the "periphery", the importance of thriving localities, issues of memory and memorialization, archaeology, artists' identities, conflict and politics, social engagement, gender politics, and curatorial alternatives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Locality plays a significant role in contemporary art, with specific artistic practices often being defined as uniquely Cypriot. However, the question of whether art from Cyprus transcends Western boundaries once it enters the global art scene is a complex one. This volume uses Cyprus as a case study to explore notions of identity, regionalism, and the global and local in contemporary art practice, providing a theoretical and historical framework that frames and contextualizes art practices from Cyprus while relating them back to the international art world.

Numerous current and pressing issues are investigated in this book, including art as capital, the emergence of the "periphery", the importance of thriving localities, issues of memory and memorialization, archaeology, artists' identities, conflict and politics, social engagement, gender politics, and curatorial alternatives such as artist-run spaces. Contemporary Art from Cyprus not only bears on current and future art practices in this region but also highlights the importance of Cypriot art in a global context.

One of the key themes explored in this volume is the relationship between art and capital. Cyprus has a long history of art production, with a rich cultural heritage that includes ancient Greek and Roman art, Byzantine art, and Ottoman art. However, the country's art market is relatively small, and many artists struggle to make a living from their work. This has led to a focus on art as a form of capital, with artists seeking to gain recognition and financial success through exhibitions, sales, and commissions.

The emergence of the "periphery" is another important theme explored in this volume. The "periphery" refers to the regions that are located on the margins of the global art world, such as Cyprus, and are often characterized by a lack of resources, infrastructure, and cultural capital. However, the "periphery" has also been a site of innovation and creativity, with artists using their unique perspectives and experiences to create new and exciting works of art.

The importance of thriving localities is also explored in this volume. Localities can provide a sense of identity, community, and belonging, and can be a source of inspiration for artists. Cyprus has a diverse range of localities, including urban centers, rural villages, and coastal areas, each with its own unique cultural heritage and traditions. Artists have been working to promote the localities of Cyprus through exhibitions, festivals, and other cultural events, and have been successful in attracting international attention to their work.

Issues of memory and memorialization are also explored in this volume. Cyprus has a rich history of conflict and political instability, and many of its cultural landmarks and monuments have been destroyed or damaged. Artists have been working to preserve and memorialize these cultural landmarks through their work, and have been successful in creating powerful and emotional works of art that reflect the history and culture of Cyprus.

Archaeology is also explored in this volume. Cyprus has a rich archaeological heritage, with many ancient sites and artifacts that have been discovered and excavated. Artists have been working to incorporate these archaeological findings into their work, and have been successful in creating works that are both visually stunning and historically significant.

Artists' identities are also explored in this volume. Artists in Cyprus come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including Greek, Turkish, and Armenian, and have been working to create works that reflect their own experiences and perspectives. This has led to a rich and diverse artistic landscape in Cyprus, with artists working in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and video.

Conflict and politics are also explored in this volume. Cyprus has been a site of conflict and political instability for many years, and artists have been working to address these issues through their work. This has led to a range of works that explore the political and social landscape of Cyprus, including works that address issues of identity, nationalism, and resistance.

Social engagement is also explored in this volume. Artists in Cyprus have been working to engage with their communities and to create works that address social issues. This has led to a range of works that address issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation, and has been successful in creating a sense of community and belonging among the people of Cyprus.

Gender politics is also explored in this volume. Women have been underrepresented in the art world for many years, and artists in Cyprus have been working to address this issue through their work. This has led to a range of works that explore the experiences of women in Cyprus, including works that address issues such as gender inequality, sexual violence, and reproductive rights.

Curatorial alternatives are also explored in this volume. Artist-run spaces have become increasingly popular in Cyprus, and have been successful in providing a platform for artists to showcase their work and to engage with their communities. This has led to a range of works that are not typically seen in traditional art spaces, and has been successful in creating a more diverse and inclusive art scene in Cyprus.

In conclusion, locality plays a significant role in contemporary art, with specific artistic practices often being defined as uniquely Cypriot. However, the question of whether art from Cyprus transcends Western boundaries once it enters the global art scene is a complex one. This volume uses Cyprus as a case study to explore notions of identity, regionalism, and the global and local in contemporary art practice, providing a theoretical and historical framework that frames and contextualizes art practices from Cyprus while relating them back to the international art world. Numerous current and pressing issues are investigated in this book, including art as capital, the emergence of the "periphery", the importance of thriving localities, issues of memory and memorialization, archaeology, artists' identities, conflict and politics, social engagement, gender politics, and curatorial alternatives such as artist-run spaces. Contemporary Art from Cyprus not only bears on current and future art practices in this region but also highlights the importance of Cypriot art in a global context.

Weight: 718g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350198647