Christoforos Savva

Christoforos Savva's œuvre was unparalleled in the incipient Cypriot art scene of the 1960s, appropriating and reinventing themes and styles, while involving references ranging from Greek and African Classical Art to Cypriot handicrafts, Folk Art, Informal Art, Pop, and avant-garde movements. The monograph is the result of a long-term research project that has its first iteration as a large-scale survey exhibition housed at the recently renovated modernist building of the State Gallery of Contemporary Art - SPEL, Nicosia. In May 2019, the exhibition will be part of the Cyprus Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The book contains reproductions of paintings as well as rare archival material such as sketchbook pages, historical photographs and documentation on the artist's life and practice. Christoforos Savva (1924-1968) is one of the most groundbreaking Cypriot artists of the 20th Century. In 1960, Savva founded, together with Welsh artist Glyn Hughes, Apophasis [Decision], the first independent cultural center of the newly established Republic of Cyprus. In 1968, Savva was among the artists representing Cyprus in its inaugural Pavilion at the 34th Venice Biennale. EXHIBITIONSSPEL State Gallery of Contemporary Art Cyprus31.1.-31.3.2019 Cyprus Pavilion at the 58th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia11.5.-24.11.2019