Salt

During the month of May, Limassol’s ‘the TRADE‘ will house a collective exhibition of new works by local artists, Opsis, Amber Lee and Alex Welch.

All three value SALT in the same manner in which they value their practice. Both SALT and creativity have always been, and will continue to be, an essential element to every form of life. SALT, as with art, enhances the flavour of our food and our lives. Its use as a preservative was a foundation of civilization, and with civilization came the advent of art as we know it today. Without SALT all animals and humans would die. Without art, the future quality of the local and global community would surely perish. Every cell in the human body contains SALT. The physiological requirement by the human body of SALT is immediate and life sustaining. It is the key factor in the operation of all signals within, as well as to and from, the brain. Making art is in no way dissimilar. The creative process increases the ‘feel good’ neurotransmitter dopamine and dopamine has been called the “motivation molecule.”

Cypriot SALT in particular, deserves special mention. During Venetian, Ottoman and British rule the production and exportation of SALT from this tiny island allowed these empires to flourish. In this same manner, the influence, ability and range of Cypriot artists throughout history and into the present day should not be overlooked.

SALT is a sprinkling of what Opsis, Amber Lee and Alex Welch have been up to lately.

All of them work in a different medium, but their common philosophies in life and art are evident within the pieces they produce.

Opsis works mostly with reclaimed objects. He uses these materials as a main support to create reflections of our modern world with mixed media. The images produced on these objects is just the surface, the foreground. The viewers must look beyond the aesthetic realm to understand the choice of material and its significance.

Amber Lee is an illustrator who predominantly works in black and white, with the occasional addition of gold leaf, and sometimes a little red. A fine black pen is the tool she uses to produces intricate illustrations riddled with hidden detail. Death and rebirth, matters of the heart and soul; these are all recurring themes in her work.

Alex Welch is a sculptor and blacksmith. He works mostly in steel, ferrous and non ferrous metals, combining them to produce various sized structures and forms based on the natural world. His work is a reflection of an ongoing process; an exploration and experimentation in the materials, their form and finish.

SALT is the common denominator in all of their work.

With Opsis it lies within the sea, for Amber Lee it comprises tears and for Alex Welch, salt drives the oxidation process of his pieces.

opening night - 8th May 7pm
open daily - 9th - 28th May 11am - 8pm
closing night - 29th May 7pm