Cyprus as a Crossroads of Art: From Antiquity to the Medieval Period

Tuesday, 19 May 2026 | 7:00 pm

Cyprus House, London

Reserve your spot via link

Cyprus has long stood at the intersection of cultures, empires, and artistic traditions. Positioned between East and West, the island has continuously absorbed, transformed, and reinterpreted external influences, forging a distinctive artistic language that spans millennia. This evening event explores Cyprus’ role as a cultural and artistic crossroads, from the Archaic period to the medieval era, through two complementary research presentations.

The event will feature two half-hour talks by Alexis Kyriacou and Dr Mark Merrony, followed by audience discussion and a wine and snack reception. Both presentations are connected through their focus on Cyprus as a historical bridge between worlds and are forthcoming publications in ANTIQVVS magazine.

The first presentation, Sculpture and Identity in Archaic Cyprus (740–475 BC), will be delivered by Alexis Kyriacou, archaeologist, art dealer, and PhD student. Drawing on limestone votive sculpture from sites such as Kition, Amathus, Tamassos, and Marion, Kyriacou examines how Cypriot sculptors expressed identity through hybrid artistic forms. By blending Greek, Phoenician, Egyptian, and local traditions, these works reveal an island culture that was neither peripheral nor passive, but actively engaged in shaping a shared Mediterranean visual language.

The second presentation shifts to the medieval period, focusing on the mosaics of Kykkos Monastery. Dr Mark Merrony, Editor-in-Chief of ANTIQVVS magazine, Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford, will explore the iconography, techniques, and historical context of these remarkable works. His talk highlights how Cypriot art continued its dialogue between East and West into the Byzantine and later periods, maintaining a distinct voice while absorbing wider artistic currents.

By placing Archaic sculpture and medieval mosaics side by side, the event foregrounds both continuity and transformation in Cypriot art. Hosted at Cyprus House, London, the evening invites academics, students, and members of the wider public to reflect on Cyprus’ enduring role as a meeting point of cultures—historically, artistically, and geopolitically.