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Cypriot, 1924 - 1968
Study for Bathers at Kyrenia, c.1957
gouache on paper
27 x 23.5 cm
52.5 x 41 cm (w/frame)
Provenance
collection of the artist
acquired by the present owner directly from the artist
Exhibited
Christoforos Savva, “Artistic Avant-Garde as a dialogue with tradition”, 16 March - 9 May 2010, Gallery K, Nicosia
Literature
Christoforos Savva, ”Artistic Avant-Garde as a dialogue with tradition”, 2010, p. 41 (illustrated)
Christoforos Savva was born in Marathovouno in 1924 and died in Sheffield in 1968.
After serving in the Cypriot Regiment of the British Army during World War II he moved to London for studies at St. Martin’s School of Art and the Central School of Art, before enrolling at Heatherley School of Art where he studied until 1953. During the next two years he spent time in Cyprus, where he presented his first solo exhibitions and became involved in the local artistic milieu, while also being one of the founders of the Pancyprian Union of Art Votaries. In 1956, he returned to London and later moved to Paris for further studies at the Académie Montparnasse, under André Lhote.
The end of the decade found Savva settling in Nicosia where he quickly established himself as one of the leading artists in a vibrant art scene, both through his own art practice and through the activities of “Apophasis” [Decision] Gallery, Nicosia. “Apophasis” which he founded in 1960 in collaboration with Welsh artist Glyn Hughes, was the first independent cultural centre of the newly founded Republic of Cyprus. As a space where creative synergy and exchange could take place, the gallery was soon to become the epicentre of intellectual and cultural activity on the island, hosting numerous exhibitions, lectures, plays and film screenings. In 1968, Savva was one of the six artists selected to represent Cyprus in its inaugural Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Just a few weeks after the opening, he died suddenly in Sheffield, UK.
He is considered one of the most influential modernist Cypriot artists of his time having taken part in several important exhibitions, in 1958 at Mariac Gallery and Jordan Gallery in Paris, in 1960 in Beirut, in 1967 at the Panhellenic Exhibition; in 1968 at Venice Biennale, in 1962 at “Art in the Commonwealth Today” exhibition which took place at Commonwealth Institute in London; in 1970 at “Contemporary Cypriot Art” at Commonwealth Institute in London; in 1979 at “Demetria” of Thessaloniki and at “Contemporary Cypriot Painting” at Athens National Gallery. After his death, seven posthumous exhibitions were organized by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the latest being the representation of Cyprus in the Venice Biennale in 2019 with a retrospective of Savva’s work.
His work can be found in public and private collections in Cyprus; at the State Gallery of Contemporary Cypriot Art; Nicosia Municipality; Cultural Centre of Popular Bank; Bank of Cyprus Cultural Centre.
After serving in the Cypriot Regiment of the British Army during World War II he moved to London for studies at St. Martin’s School of Art and the Central School of Art, before enrolling at Heatherley School of Art where he studied until 1953. During the next two years he spent time in Cyprus, where he presented his first solo exhibitions and became involved in the local artistic milieu, while also being one of the founders of the Pancyprian Union of Art Votaries. In 1956, he returned to London and later moved to Paris for further studies at the Académie Montparnasse, under André Lhote.
The end of the decade found Savva settling in Nicosia where he quickly established himself as one of the leading artists in a vibrant art scene, both through his own art practice and through the activities of “Apophasis” [Decision] Gallery, Nicosia. “Apophasis” which he founded in 1960 in collaboration with Welsh artist Glyn Hughes, was the first independent cultural centre of the newly founded Republic of Cyprus. As a space where creative synergy and exchange could take place, the gallery was soon to become the epicentre of intellectual and cultural activity on the island, hosting numerous exhibitions, lectures, plays and film screenings. In 1968, Savva was one of the six artists selected to represent Cyprus in its inaugural Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. Just a few weeks after the opening, he died suddenly in Sheffield, UK.
He is considered one of the most influential modernist Cypriot artists of his time having taken part in several important exhibitions, in 1958 at Mariac Gallery and Jordan Gallery in Paris, in 1960 in Beirut, in 1967 at the Panhellenic Exhibition; in 1968 at Venice Biennale, in 1962 at “Art in the Commonwealth Today” exhibition which took place at Commonwealth Institute in London; in 1970 at “Contemporary Cypriot Art” at Commonwealth Institute in London; in 1979 at “Demetria” of Thessaloniki and at “Contemporary Cypriot Painting” at Athens National Gallery. After his death, seven posthumous exhibitions were organized by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the latest being the representation of Cyprus in the Venice Biennale in 2019 with a retrospective of Savva’s work.
His work can be found in public and private collections in Cyprus; at the State Gallery of Contemporary Cypriot Art; Nicosia Municipality; Cultural Centre of Popular Bank; Bank of Cyprus Cultural Centre.
Cypria Auctions
14 Evrou Street
2003 Strovolos
Nicosia, Cyprus
phone: +357 22 341122
phone: +357 97 673876
email: info@cypriaauctions.com
2003 Strovolos
Nicosia, Cyprus
phone: +357 22 341122
phone: +357 97 673876
email: info@cypriaauctions.com