From a Continent to an Island in Limassol

Among the month’s new cultural productions and events are several new artistic introductions. Following a brief Christmas break, art exhibitions now resume to showcase the work of local and international creatives from near and far. A showcase opening in Limassol brings art from far, far away that has stepped into the spotlight recently.

In January of 2023 the From a Continent to an Island exhibition was launched in Cyprus for the first time on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Australia-Cyprus diplomatic relations. A whole year later and after its Nicosia showings, this remarkable exhibition moves to a new location to continue its journey. The Cathrine Art Association now presents the showcase at Exhibit 8 Gallery and its opening event this Friday will be attended by Australian High Commissioner Fiona McKergow.

Until early February, the exhibition will showcase part of an exceptional and important collection of paintings on bark created by indigenous Australians from Arnhem Land in northern Australia. Curator Nadine Berthelier describes the universe of the exhibition as “one full of myths about the creation of the Aboriginal world, the Dreamtime, which the people of Arnhem Land have recorded on eucalyptus bark. The creator ancestors bequeathed the land to people and tasked them to conserve it in order to live in harmony with it. This wise directive which our contemporary civilisation is only now rediscovering, can hardly be found anywhere but in these conserved territories.

“For over 20,000 years, it has been an insider’s job to tell the countless founding myths of Arnhem Land from generation to generation. Each clan and family perpetuate the story adding their own reading to it, while also highlighting their totem taken from the Dreamtime. But the work entrusted to the initiated is twofold: to continue the narration of the myth as demanded by the Ancestors, but also to do so in such a way that the profane cannot access the profound meaning of what is painted.”

Featuring approximately 70 paintings on bark, this exhibition has special significance and is realised with the support of the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Australian High Commission in Cyprus.

From a Continent to an Island

Exhibition featuring paintings on bark, created by Indigenous Australians from Arnhem Land. January 12-February 3. Exhibit 8 gallery, Limassol. Opening night: 7.30pm. Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 11pm. Saturday: 12pm – 11pm. www.exhibit8gallery.com.cy Tel: 25-212171