Cyprus (The Bird that Cried Meeps)
A 4mx2m sculptural painting across 21 panels, this piece reacts to the Mediterranean island of Cyprus through surrealist representations and juxtaposed interaction. The painting is powered by three distinct colour engines, whose palettes are inspired by the three dominant landscapes on the island: sea, town and forest. Drawing on the tension between colonial influence and cultural heritage, the piece tries to make sense of an island at the border of three continents: a strategic military base, a home.
The three dimensional panelling mimics the fold mountains of the Troodos mountain range, formed by the collision of the Eurasian, African and Arabian and Anatolian plates. These panels have been further divided into a grid to form 127 distinct regions, each of which houses a painting that fights for its place.
This painting was commissioned by the Ioannou family for their home in Pervolia, Cyprus.
Introduction by Christos Ioannou
The following is a recorded conversation between Oswald, Alex and Christos, recently after the work was installed. Christos and Oswald were unaware that this particular conversation was recorded (sorry guys), though the idea of recording a conversation about the work had been agreed.
Huge thank you to Christos Ioannou, for coordinating the commission and collaborating with us on the painting. It was an absolute pleasure to work with you.