Interview with Sergis Hadjiadamos - Excellence Award Larnaca Biennale 2018

Who is artist Sergis Hadjiadamos? Share with us a few things about you and your work in general.

Sergis was born in South Africa in 1975, after my parents left as refugees from Famagusta in 1974. We returned back to Cyprus in 1980 and we are located in Paphos the home town of my father Andy Adamos (1936-1990), ever since.

I studied fine arts form a very early beginning because of the fact that my fathers was a professional sculptor. I was brought up in an environment that art was the most important thing that connected us as a family. After my father past away in 1990 the second day after I started my first art lesson with a self taught artist Pier Byzantinos. I followed on a few months after by attending lessons with artist Rinos Stefani and Suzan Vargas. I took lesson also with Mariam MSoukhanova Foukara.

Being the son of a well know artist also gave me the privilege to know in person all the local important artists and many times took advice and knowledge from them. Artists such as Costas Economou, George Kotsonis, Andreas Charalambides, Klara Zacharaki, Andreas Makariou, Stass Parascos.Τhe last year ιn school I started lessons with Yiota Ioannidou in order to enter the exams for the University of Athens. Did not pass.

In 1994 after finishing my military service I moved to Athens to study interior design at AKTO College, were I finished the first year of foundation with excellence. I then entered the School Of Art by Nicolas Stefos were I studied strictly drawing forms, shadows and perspective. I again gave the exams for the Athes University of Art and didn’t pass. In 1997 I entered the Art and Science College in Athens and studied graphic design with minor in fine arts. The combination of mixing new technology with old style brushstrokes fascinates me and allows me to have access to multiple inspirations

What was your reaction when you heard that you where awarded?

Well my first reaction to the announcement was no surprise, I had confidence in this specific project because my art work was exactly what the theme of the Biennale was. I knew that not many had every seen such an image and the trilogy of it even gave more excitement to it.

Tell us a few words about your awarded work.

There are no few words about my awarded work, Its a very long story that begins about 15 years ago and it is still in the beginning, In 2019 I will be presenting my new work in a solo exhibition in Pafos that will explain exactly what I am creating.

What is your impression about this first Biennial in Cyprus?

The Biennale Larnaka was a very daring project that took a lot of effort by very willing professionals, and I do congratulate them. They have brought to Cyprus a high standard art fair that puts Cyprus on the art map of the world. Young artist must be grateful to them and participate as much as they could. These universal dialogues that are created in such fairs also help local artist to develop and extend their creations.