Pantanassa

The series of paintings and icons under the title Pantanassa came about as a result of Mary Plant’s interest in Aphrodite and Evanthia Kouma’s interest in Byzantine icons and in particular the Panayia (Virgin Mary).

Through the artists’ discussions concerning the two primary female figures of Cyprus, came the inspiration for a collaboration highlighting the various epithets and attributes of Aphrodite and the Panayia and establishing any links that there might be between them. The word Pantanassa, a name for the Panayia, recalls the title Anassa, by which Aphrodite is referred to on several inscriptions dedicated by her priests. In Kouklia, Palaepaphos, the Panayia in the church near the sanctuary of Aphrodite is said to have been known as Panayia Aphroditissa. The Rose, a flower connected with Aphrodite is also the epithet of Panayia Rodon to Amaranton (unwitting rose). The Panayia Galaktotrophousa recalls the Aphrodite Kourotrophos. In Kouklia, until quite recently, women with newly born children prayed for milk at a monolith in the sanctuary of Aphrodite invoking the Panayia and making the sign of the cross. (Earlier they had prayed at the conical stone image of Aphrodite until it was moved to the museum). The prefix “golden” in several of Panayia’s names i.e. Chrysopolitissa, Chryseleousa, Chrysopantanassa, reminds us of the epithet Golden, referring to Aphrodite in ancient Greek texts.

Evanthia Kouma was born in Kilani and lives in Nicosia. She studied painting with various Cypriot artists, and icon painting with Father Kallinikos Stavrovouniotis and later with Christos Karis. She has exhibited in Cyprus and London.

Mary Plant was born in Famagusta and lives in London and in Palaepaphos. She studied painting at Chelsea School of Art, London, graduating with an MA. She has exhibited in Cyprus, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Russia, Hong Kong and Mongolia.

Inauguration on Thursday 2nd of April at 7:30pm.

Opening Hours
10.00-13.00 και 16.00 -20.00.