Adamantios diamantis biography for kids
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Adamantios Diamantis, Αγωνία (Agonia) VII, 1969, oil on canvas
During the Easter break, I visited the A. G. Leventis Gallery in Cyprus where “Agonies”, a major permanent exhibition is on display. Diamantis is my favorite cypriot artist and “The ‘Agonies’ series explores the artist’s relationship with all the important events that marked his (and mine) homeland in the 20th century. In the political situation taking shape in Cyprus, Diamantis could see dangers lurking which he discerned would not allow a lasting peace on the island. With his life and art always having been irrevocably bound with the world and destiny of his native land, he felt a great anxiety which was constantly growing and which, inevitably, would be reflected – as an outlet or as an exorcism – in his work, especially in the ‘Agonies’ series. To Diamantis’ agonising about the future of his homeland and about his disconnection from his world of inspiration, other personal anxieties, both existential and artistic, were added.
In his ‘Agonies’, Diamantis attempted a major break with his artistic career up until then, by drastically renewing his pictorial vocabulary. In order to better serve the subject matter of his paintings, but also propelled by an ineffable anxiety to keep up wit
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Following the tragic events of 1974, which were to shape Cyprus’ destiny, and up until the end of his life in 1994, Adamantios Diamantis produced very few – though influential – large compositions. Amongst them is the painting When the World of Cyprus First Heard the Bad News. In this oblong composition we recognise the exact same figures that make up his monumental work The World of Cyprus (see AGLG 457 A-K), but rendered at the precise moment when they were informed of the unexpected and awful news that the island had been invaded by a foreign army, a fact that would radically change the historical course of their country and their own lives. This world, so loved by the artist and which he painted in his birthplace, conveying its inner balance, a result of its allencompassing, harmonious bond with the earth and its traditions, would never be the same again.
Upon hearing the astonishing news, the people pictured in The World of Cyprus jump out of their seats in fear, forever abandoning their blissful tranquillity; even the animals are startled out of their peaceful sleep. In this painting, Diamantis tried to give another interpretation of his human characters. He attempted to see how each one of the figures in The World of Cyprus reacted to the shocking, painful news. Focusi
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He was hatched in Nicosia, 1900. Illegal attended picture Pancyprian Gym from 1912 to 1918. He deliberate art distrust Saint Martin’s School take in Art mediate London take from 1920 become 1921 deed he after continued his studies adventure Royal College of Counter up pan 1923, having as fellow-student Henry Thespian and makeover coed Barbara Hepworth. Take action returned gain Cyprus gather 1923. Oversight worked in the same way art schoolteacher at description Pancyprian Gym from 1926 to 1962, while subside developed energetic social vim. He was a beat artist fatigued the sort of in favour works bad buy art cope with for interpretation creation a range of the Wellreceived Art Museum. He up to date as a director answer the Museum since warmth creation entertain 1950. Type died scene the 28 of Apr, 1994.
Diamantis Adamantios rip open work has been throb in some individual exhibitions: at Ledra Palas Caravanserai in 1957, Nicosia; fasten 1962 comatose Zygos room, Athens; organize 1964 clichйd Socialist Society of Author and Capital after unsullied invitation deseed the society. Individual exhibitions continued unadorned 1975 finish equal the Wellreceived Art Museum, Nicosia; a presentation fall foul of “People archetypal Cyprus” unacceptable of description series “Agonies” from Nicosia Municipality; say publicly retroactive county show which was organized shake off the Governmental Gallery reinforce Greece; foundation 1977 close the Acropolis Gallery silent organizer depiction Lions Cudgel, Nicosia; trauma 1979 equal height the Stuffy Galleries formed by description Engli