Cyprus Students Prize 2024

Artwork price: €100-€150

The painting presents a young beautiful woman with a peaceful and calm gaze. A clear and bright light bathes her face. This woman has recently experienced the miracle of motherhood. Although she does not seem to be holding her child, the birth of her child brought light, joy, peace and new meaning to her life. Motherhood gave her a new identity and a new role, that of the mother.

The artwork “Emotion” represents the link between colour and psychology. Each painting presents the same girl who is experiencing three different emotions. The emotions range from, joy and anger, to sadness. Through the different positions of the hands, it is possible to establish the variation that comes when portraying an emotion through physical body language. In addition, the girl’s facial expressions represent the various moods throughout the paintings. In all paintings, the colour is different, showing the reference on how colours could be linked with psychology. For example, the feeling of anger is expressed through tones of red and dark yellow, as well as black. The background is created in a way to make the emotion more vivid. The background of the artwork, which represents the feeling of anger is painted with rough brushstrokes. Whereas, on the painting with the happy girl, the sea is painted in a more wavy and harmonious brushstrokes. In this way, Eliza wants to give a more holistic idea of the feelings across the three paintings. Overall, this shows how a human being interacts with his/her surroundings and how they influence each other.

We, young people, try to express ourselves through our appearance, to express what we cannot put into words. My work represents our need to express ourselves in a world without prejudices where each one of us is different.

Artwork price: €100-€150

Simplified forms of the landscape emphasizing to the colour’s harmony.

Artwork price: €100-€150

A female portrait looking to the side- back longing for something that has passed looking for something that is leaving.

Artwork price: €300

In this collage, a face of deep despair takes center stage, its features etched with a haunting mix of emotions. The eyes, windows to the soul, reflect a complex interplay of sadness, confusion and perhaps a glimmer of resilience. Around the face are swirling elements that enclose the turbulent sea of emotions within. This collage serves as a visual exploration of the complex tapestry of emotions, inviting viewers to delve into the depths of the human psyche and reflect on the universality of the human condition.

In this captivating mixed-media artwork, an old Gothic-style church emerges as a testament to artistic ingenuity. The artist skillfully combines various materials, including recycled elements, to breathe life into the intricate details of the architectural marvel. Layers of textured paper and salvaged metals create a tactile depth, while the play of light and shadow accentuates the aged character of the structure. The recycled materials, repurposed with creativity, infuse the piece with a sense of sustainability and environmental consciousness. Through the amalgamation of diverse elements, the painting not only captures the timeless beauty of the Gothic church but also serves as a poignant commentary on the transformative power of art and resourcefulness.

The portrait of my mother.

Artwork price: €100-€150

The sadness of the refugee on every continent, in every country, in every place is the same. Despair, sadness, affliction, pain and cry.

Artwork price: €80

I have been drawing and painting from a very early age. I am mostly interested in nature and wildlife subjects. I chose this particular subject because it challenged me with its complicated shapes and multiple hues.

Artwork price: €80

The idea behind this piece was to depict an everyday still life with ordinary objects. A cup with a tea bag inside, a vase with a flower in it, a pencil, a paper with notes and books are objects the artist uses or behold in her everyday life. In this piece, Mariia wanted to convey the peaceful feeling existing along the composition of these objects which remain unchanged and motionless. She believes that sometimes completing routine can help feel secure and calm and through this miniature, Mariia wanted to illustrate a “quiet corner” which accompanies her routine every day.

Artwork price: €400

A happy feeling of closeness! There is beauty and power in nature, in unity, in love, in peace!

In the memory of my grandmother. Time sculpts on the face the joys, sufferings and sorrows that each person has experienced. The love that you gave me, your kindness and the values that you passed on to me will remain unchanged in my heart forever.

Artwork price: €800

A rainy street in China with character 道 (dao) on the floor which means Taoism. This painting represents balance through symmetry and religion, since in Taoism it is strived to be at balance with the universe.

Artwork price: €120

I have always been interested in the human face and figure. I was inspired by a face I saw on social media, on which I improvised the body. The butterflies are of the species Pieridae which is common on Cyprus, where I have recently moved.

Artwork price: €250

The title of the project “Spes” comes from Latin and means “hope”. The drawing shows a girl with a dove covering her eyes. In the background is a city, which is a bit blurry, and being destroyed with planes overhead. Each has its own symbolism. The little girl holding a teddy bear shows innocence, the dove is hope – freedom and the city shows chaos. Because of the recent wars, I was inspired to do this piece of art with this theme with the aim of conveying the message that with wars, many people are lost and many are destroyed. I tried to make the dove brighter than all the other parts, to show courage, hope and peace. The way it is designed is to make the viewer feel the emotions that I tried to show fear, worry and anxiety.

Artwork price: €400

My project can be defined as an abstract shell triptych, ultimately created via engravings. Among the various techniques and materials, I have used are collage and foam board, printing ink, and acrylic paint, respectively. I drew inspiration from natural formations on par with natural lighting and shadows found in different landscapes.

Artwork price: €150

An image that is viewed from different angles. Inspired by the old town Nicosia.

Artwork price: €150

A surrealistic view of time through memories. The work projects the way I perceive time. As a human being, my experiences form and shape how I see the world and therefore my subjective reality. The hourglass symbolizes time as it progresses, while the distorted eye represents people’s formed perceptions of life, created because of their different experiences. The bird, leaves and flowers symbolize sources of pleasure and self-fulfillment and how they affect each person’s understanding and perception of life.

Artwork price: €250

The work shows the thought that encapsulates the essence of a modern dystopian reality. It ponders the possible consequences of unchecked technological progress, social decay and environmental degradation, embodying the unsettling spirit of a modern dystopia.