The war in my homeland, Cyprus (1974), left traces of its existence across the heart of the old City of Nicosia after drawing a scar across its centre. The green line continues to hold memories of battle and gunfire, characterising the town, along with its traditional coffee shops and faces that roam the streets. Old Nicosia holds great sentimental value for its locals and a warmth radiates from its crumbling walls and shuttered colourful windows. You can almost hear the histories that are hidden in the untouched ochre walls, the barbed wire and mosaics.
A local of the old city and dear friend, AnastasiaMcCammon, expresses how "growing up surrounded by the special features that define the old town of Nicosia, there is a certain type of fear of losing the towns unique character with the increasing popularity its cobbled streets have seen in recent years. I think I speak for all its residents in hoping that the beauty of the old town remains for all to experience."
These paintings are inspired by her words and she is featured in some of them to represent the shared passion the residents have for its continued preservation and more generally the value the old city holds for its people. They aim to capture the gems of its streets that have remained since the war, before time transforms the space.
The building featured in the above two paintings sits a metre away from the green line and is now closed off from the public due to its danger of collapsing. I stumbled across it on one of my afternoon walks in the old city and I became engrossed in its beauty-the tall staircase was particularly mesmerising, standing strong and beautiful after so many years. I created these paintings shortly before the doors were sealed and locked shut for good.
