Diamantis in a new element

Watercolour Exhibition (1929-1980) by Adamantios Diamantis

This collection of watercolours by Diamantis shows an aspect of his work different from his paintings in oil or acrylic on canvas with central theme the human figure. These paintings were often derived from his drawings in pencil of the human figure as the central theme. Painting in watercolour was not part of his training at the Royal College of Art in London but something he taught himself to do, inspired by the landscape or village-scape around him. Although less important than his canvasses they portray the immediate world that surrounded him with sensitivity and understanding.

A number of factors contributed to his departing from the familiar world of pencil and paper, and paints on canvas. Watercolour was used because of its portability and quickness in execution. Thus when not in his studio he could carry the simple means which allowed him to capture and depict what his artistic eye saw. Many of the forty odd watercolours exhibited here reflect the landscape all around him in which he rejoiced and in which he lived: Nicosia, Strovolos and Agios Theodoros for longer periods as well as the localities associated with summer holidays spent in Pedoulas, Kakopetria, Troodos, Prodromos and Alona. Holidays spent in these last four villages during the war years further encouraged the use of watercolour, helping to conserve the hard to find imported oil paints. Even further a field, his tin of colours accompanied him to Corfu, his “wife’s village” as he would call it, to face the challenge of painting the olive trees - a gift for watercolourists with their expanses of smooth grey foliage.

His technique developed with the years but he never claimed to be an “aquarellista”. He developed his own unique style influenced by his oil-colour. In a few cases he could not resist including the human figure, such as the group of villagers cutting up the pig they have slaughtered or the old woman doubled over by her load, a beloved theme, that did not mature into a canvas in this case. The exhibition also includes a terra umbra drawing of a family group, accidentally trapped in the folder with the rest of the watercolours. Just as a reminder of his other work… Alecos Diamantis

The exhibition will be opened by the poet Kyriakos Charalambides, on Monday, 13 October 2014 at 7.30 p.m.

Opening Hours
Monday: 17.00 - 20.00
Tuesday – Friday: 10.30 - 12.30 & 17.00 - 20.00
Saturday: 10.30 - 12.30