Exhibition at SOL Atelier Nicosia and Activities April 17-28, 2018 

By Heidi Trautmann

While the exhibition was on and saw visitors from both sides of Cyprus, we attended two activities at the close by Arabahmet Culturel Centre which is supported by Girne American University.

The first one was a presentation of a new book by Dr. Sofia Hadjipapa. She holds a PhD in Art History and Fine Arts and lives and works at Cyprus University on the South side of Nicosia. Read her biography under the following link.

https://www.euc.ac.cy/easyconsole.cfm/id/182/dep/163/c_id/46

She had let us have a brief glimpse into her recent work, a research work on the importance and migration of symbols, a book with the title ‘The Book of Hours’. I had met Sofia Hadjipapa before, years ago, shortly after the gates between the two parts of the islands opened, on the occasion of an art event created by the two art associations EMAA and ECATE and supported by the ‘Goethe Centre’ (as the Institute was called then) in the buffer zone of Nicosia. It was the ART AWARE Project where artists from South and North presented themselves and their work over the length of eight months. It was a heart touching event. In her new book project she has been studying the significance of symbols that go back far into our past history, symbols of belief, of matters of life, often in the form of a circle, the symbol of endlessness.  I have included here texts she had shown us in a slide show.  She has reproduced these symbols on handmade paper; please see the examples shown below. It was a precious contribution during the PAPER TOUCH2 event.

The second event was led by Laura Behar from Meitar in Israel; she holds a Master Degree in Contemporary Art from Liverpool University and specializes in Prints, Graphic Techniques and Paper-Making since 1980. She is a longstanding member of IAPMA (International Association of Paper Making and Paper Artists). She participated in many international exhibitions and conventions within the paper making field of art. That is where she met our founding members Inci Kansu, Ismet Tatar, Emel Samioğlu and Simge Uygur. She organizes workshops for art teachers and artists to show the many techniques connected with Paper Art.  Prior to the workshop she gave us a short introduction into her work by means of a slide show.

The theme for our workshop was ‘Painting with Paper Pulp’. Our members had prepared the necessary paper pulp of different colours in huge plastic containers and on several working tables the participants were shown and taught the ‘scooping’ of paper by means of a wire mesh; then the creating of a picture with various layers of thus scooped sheets, mixed with decorative pieces such as dried flowers, paper pieces, threads and similar. The sheets were then left to dry and put under pressure by means of a press.  A fascinating process, you may recognize from the photos.

I realized that this kind of art technique becomes more and more of interest to art teachers and students, as they are always looking for new means of expression and techniques.

Here is the link to my review on the opening of our exhibition:

http://www.heiditrautmann.com/category.aspx?CID=7366488725#.Wtd3hS5uaUk

Future events

Art lives from activity and can have no standstill. The KKSD/ Association of Cyprus Paper Artists has already planned some events for the rest of the year 2018-

-In June 2018, a "Papermaking" workshop designed for the students of ARUCAD, Girne;

-From 17 - 28  September 2018, "Birgrupinsan" exhibition; artists coming from İstanbul to exhibit at the Atatürk Cultural Centre Nicosia.

-In October 2018,"IAPMA  (International Association of Paper Making and Paper Artists) Touring Exhibition" at EMU Eastern Mediterranean University in  Famagusta;

-From 01 - 10 November 2018, "ACPA İstanbul  KKSD Members Exhibition" at Galeri Bohem, İstanbul.

Conclusion:

Paper Art has come to the awareness of artists around the world and reaches into all fields of art disciplines; there are no limits. It carries the environmental thought in its philosophy. You can see samples on IAPMA facebook and website.