Master George Kepolas has brought the old tradition of Byzantine Mosaic Art back to life and with his brother Alkis, brought hagiography into the 21 century as well. Hagiography, literally the “Writing of The Saints” has a long history, and includes the painting of icons and of course Mosaic Art.
Kepolas was born in Athienou in 1956. He attended the Pan Cyprian gymnasium and the Neocleous College. After completing his military service he went to New York - USA where he studied fine arts at the National Academy of Fine Arts. He went on to Greece for three years and specialized in Byzantine Hagiography and Mosaics.
In 1984 George Kepolas together with his brother Alkis and his associate Nicos Chritodoulides established the Workshop for Hagiography and Mosaic Art in Nicosia. Their work can be found in Cyprus as well as abroad. Kepolas also created the icons for the book "Nicosia" with poetry from Michalis Hadjipieri, Nishe Yasin and Niyazi Kizilyurek.
One of Kepolas' monumental works, is at Kykkos Monastery. Taking 4 years to complete, it consists of 25 compositions portraying parables from the Bible. Situated outside the church at the monastery, they carry on the tradition of Byzantine art as an art form for communicating with the people.
Photini Stylianou was born in Arsos - Limassol - Cyprus. Attended Saint Mary's school where she followed painting lessons for three years.
She attended courses in Siena – Italy on Italian art and culture where she had the opportunity to admire the works of the great masters of painting and mosaics.
Married and a mother of two, Photini loves working in her garden from where she gets her inspiration for painting. She is experimenting with mosaics using various materials and techniques. Some of her mosaic artwork can be seen at Epavlis Mosaica - a Cyprus villa and in her workshop. She has been working on mosaics for several years.
Rea Hadjivarnava was born in Famagusta - Cyprus.
She studied aesthetics in Athens – Greece. Then after she taught aesthetics in Cyprus for five years.
Since then she is working in the field during which she followed several courses, in painting, hagiography and mosaics.
She has been active in the creation of mosaic art as well as painting.
