The newly-established Museum of Art and Design will host its inaugural exhibition featuring works from both Italian and Greek artists on Friday, October 17. This landmark event is poised to redefine Cyprus’s cultural landscape, as the museum aims to position itself as a premier destination for contemporary art on an international scale.
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Museum of: Exhibition Highlights
The exhibition, taking place at the museum’s newly constructed premises near the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, will present a compelling showcase of works by two celebrated artists: Italian mixed-media creator Leonardo Blanco and Greek painter Mara Tsafantaki. Their participation is expected to draw significant attention from art enthusiasts and collectors alike.
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Leonardo Blanco: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Leonardo Blanco is known for his multidisciplinary practice that encompasses painting, sculpture, and installation. His works are featured in both public and private collections, with notable permanent installations located in San Marino, Strasbourg at the Council of Europe, Nazareth at the Basilica of the Annunciation, and the Water Cube Museum in Beijing.
Blanco’s career took a significant turn when he represented the Republic of San Marino at the prestigious 53rd Venice Biennale of Visual Arts in 2009. He has since received numerous public commissions, including a monumental steel sculpture now permanently located at the entrance of San Marino’s city centre, showcasing his influence and recognition in the art world.
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Mara Tsafantaki: Celebrated Illustrator and Painter
Mara Tsafantaki, a graduate of the Athens School of Fine Arts, has garnered acclaim for her artistic talents under the mentorship of Professor Chronis Botsoglou. Her solo exhibitions in Athens, along with participation in various group exhibitions, have established her as a prominent figure in both Greece and the international art scene.
Since 2003, Tsafantaki has also made her mark in the realm of children’s literature, illustrating numerous books published by leading Greek publishing houses such as Patakis and Papadopoulos. Her work on “Little Leo and the Circusmicroworld,” penned by Kostas Charalas, was longlisted for the 2006 Greek State Illustration Awards, further solidifying her artistic credentials.
Keynote Address by Renowned Designer
The inaugural event of the Museum of Art and Design will feature a keynote address from Italian designer Giulio Masciocchi. Known for his aesthetic direction that has shaped collections for well-known Italian brands across various sectors—fashion, accessories, and design—Masciocchi’s multidisciplinary practice spans concept and product design, interior design, and graphic communication.
In 2016, he founded G.DISEGNI, his own design studio dedicated to applied arts, where he explores diverse creative fields such as textile and porcelain design, product development, and fashion design. His distinct contemporary vision and refined aesthetic sensibility have garnered him a reputation as a leading figure in the design community.
Event Schedule and Community Engagement
The inaugural reception will take place on Friday, October 17, from 6 PM to 9 PM, followed by public viewing on the weekend of October 18-19 from 5 PM to 8 PM. The museum’s founder and Artistic Director, Maria Ignatiou Shiakalli, expressed that this exhibition signifies the museum’s commitment to bringing world-class contemporary art to Cyprus while encouraging dialogue among international artistic communities.
Shiakalli has a two-decade history of involvement in art education, curation, and philanthropy, collaborating with galleries, collectors, and developers on prestigious international projects. Notably, she was recently appointed as the exclusive art consultant for Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi, which stands as one of the UAE’s most ambitious architectural undertakings.
Artistic Perspectives and Cultural Narratives
“The works of Tsafantaki and Blanco provide profound engagement with global cultural narratives, inviting visitors to explore cross-cultural expression,” said Shiakalli. Both artists have been selected for their innovative approaches and the universal themes reflected in their new series, which will be prominently featured at the museum. Their artworks promise to offer insights into distinct cultural perspectives, enriching the experience for attendees.
Yorgos Taxiarchopoulos, serving as the Chief Curatorial Strategist at the Museum of Art and Design, has also made significant contributions to the cultural landscape. He currently holds the position of Artistic Director at the Limassol Municipal Arts Centre and is the Founder of ACEY Europe, a non-profit entity in Greece that focuses on arts and culture, enhancing the institution’s credibility and global network expertise.
Location and Contact Information
The Museum of Art and Design is conveniently situated at 37 Demostheni Severi Street, close to the Foreign Ministry and the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. For further information, interested individuals can call +35722011349.
