Yiannis Pelekanos is a well known Cypriot naive painter. He was born in 1937 in Ashia village of Famagusta district, now occupied by Turkish troops, by which he was displaced in 1974 and since then he lives as a refugee in Nicosia.
He started painting at an early age, painting mainly Cypriot traditional scenes, being inspired by rural life in the old days, personal experiences, the hard work of the villagers, the religious and national habits, customs and activities. Through his naive and spontaneous painting he brings the past to the present and tries to preserve it and convey it to the future as an inspiration for the new generations.
About his work he says:
”Some people write in words and make literature, some write in verses and make poetry, others in notes and make music. I paint and present the history of my country, its culture and natural beauties. Women's domestic jobs like baking, farmer's jobs in the fields, scenes of Cypriot religious life, weddings and other festivities”.
His aim is to maintain a way of life that is gradually vanishing. His art is characterized by pure colour, instinct and the feeling of movement.
Yiannis Pelekanos has had 30 solo exhibitions and has participated in numerous group ones. Pieces of his work are exhibited in public and private collections in Cyprus and Abroad.
His 30th exhibition was hosted in OROSIMO gallery from 12 October to 8 November 2009.
Yiannis Pelekanos is a well known Cypriot naive painter. He was born in 1937 in Ashia village of Famagusta district, now occupied by Turkish troops, by which he was displaced in 1974 and since then he lives as a refugee in Nicosia.
He started painting at an early age, painting mainly Cypriot traditional scenes, being inspired by rural life in the old days, personal experiences, the hard work of the villagers, the religious and national habits, customs and activities. Through his naive and spontaneous painting he brings the past to the present and tries to preserve it and convey it to the future as an inspiration for the new generations.
About his work he says:
”Some people write in words and make literature, some write in verses and make poetry, others in notes and make music. I paint and present the history of my country, its culture and natural beauties. Women's domestic jobs like baking, farmer's jobs in the fields, scenes of Cypriot religious life, weddings and other festivities”.
His aim is to maintain a way of life that is gradually vanishing. His art is characterized by pure colour, instinct and the feeling of movement.
Yiannis Pelekanos has had 30 solo exhibitions and has participated in numerous group ones. Pieces of his work are exhibited in public and private collections in Cyprus and Abroad.
His 30th exhibition was hosted in OROSIMO gallery from 12 October to 8 November 2009.