North-style wall art makes Cyprus debut

By Bimpe Fatogun
09/04/04
CYPRUS has unveiled its first ever mural – a gift from Northern Ireland to the Mediterranean isle. However, unlike its counterparts in the north, which more often than not mark out republican and loyalist territory, the al fresco artwork was aimed at bringing young people on the divided island together.

West Belfast artist Farhad Nargol-O’Neill was recruited for the special project by the British Council in Northern Ireland and Cyprus.

Mr Nargol-O’Neill has been working on the project in Nicosia – Europe’s only militarily divided city – since last July, when he flew to Cyprus to carry out research on his chosen theme, ‘Constructing the Past’.

The resulting design has created a symbolic compass representing changes to the island through the ages.

The US-born artist, who became a full-time sculptor after moving to the north in 1995, was assisted in his work by a group of young Greek Cypriot and Turk-ish Cypriot fine-art students.

“The theme of the mural is Cypriot history through the use of symbolism and geometry,” he explained.

“The overall shape of the mural represents both the walls of Nicosia and the mural as a whole functions as an ethnic compass of the many cultures who have come to Cyprus from across the water in the past.”

The wall is in the old city of Nicosia – an area currently undergoing restoration. It was unveiled on Tuesday by Cyprus’s minister of communication and works, Kikis Kazamias.

Mr Kazamias welcomed the addition of a new type of artistic expression to the island.

“The mural is a very popular art form abroad but something new in Cyprus,” the minister said.

“It gives us the opportunity to expose art in open air spaces and it is something that up until now we have been able to enjoy only in galleries.

“It is my wish that in future times, we will be given the opportunity to co-operate further with artists from abroad and to promote the efforts of young, Cypriot artists, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, in the arts scene.”

The mural is part of an attempt to establish civic art as a new form of creation on Cyprus.

It is understood that there are plans to create more murals in cooperation between Cyprus and Northern Ireland.

Peter Skelton, director of the British Council in Cyprus, said the project had been very successful.

“We are very excited about this project, and delighted that Farhad Nargol-O’Neill from Northern Ireland has been able to come to Nicosia to work with young Greek and Turkish Cypriot painters to realise his wonderful artistic creation on a lovely wall in the old city of Nicosia.

“The (project)... provides a permanent and beautiful memento in the old city of Nicosia of collaboration between all communities of Northern Ireland and Cyprus,” Mr Skelton said.

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