Who is artist Yorgos Papadopoulos? Share with us a few things about you and your work in general.
Yorgos Papadopoulos is an artist who works primarily with glass as his medium. Born in Limassol in 1969, Yorgos was a resident of Varosha until the Turkish invasion in 1974. After a long journey of studying and development, amongst others at the prestigious Royal College of Art in London, he returned to Cyprus and settled, not in Famagusta, where his mother was from, but in his father’s village, Kedares. As an artist Yorgos draws a lot of inspiration from natural phenomena and beauty. He is author of the book titled ‘Lamination’ published in 2004. He has exhibited extensively around the world. He lectured and gave master classes at various institutions of higher education, including the Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle.
What was your reaction when you heard that you were awarded?
The acoustics of the venue weren’t great during the proclamation. So I actually missed it. It was my friends that had to tell me and push me to the front of the room to collect my award. It was not much more after winning the first prize at European Glass Context in Bornholm Denmark. I obviously felt very proud to get recognition not only abroad, but also in my home country.
Tell us a few words about your awarded work.
Eye of Confidence is part of a series called Stratified Jewels. These works draw on the imagery of the αμματόπετρες, the traditional amulets that are supposed to protect against the influences of the “evil eye” and are very common in Cyprus. I have however turned the superstition into something I consider more useful: the promotion of the good through invoking certain concepts, values and attitudes.
Eye of Confidence once more shows that the variations on this theme are certainly limitless. The paradoxical of properties of glass as a material also touch on the theme of limits: transparency and reflection are both limits and limitless in relation to light. I thought it fitted perfectly with the theme of the Larnaca Biennale.
What was your overall impression about Larnaca Biennale 2021?
I was very pleased with the venues, especially with the sea front one. It’s a shame however that not all works fit in one venue. Specifically about my piece, I would have liked a free standing spot. As my work benefits from light travelling through, a position against the wall is not the best imaginable. But I have only myself to blame for not giving this as a specific instruction to the curators . Also really impressed with the organisation of the biennial.
A message you would like to send to artists that will apply in the future for participation in the Larnaca Biennale.
I am already thinking of the next edition. Having seen the space the ideas are starting to take shape. My message to future applicants would be: don’t wait until the last minute! Get your work ready now!
