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DESPINA
KYRIACOU

FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER

ABOUT DESPINA KYRIACOU

EXPLORING TIME, SPACE, AND HUMANITY THROUGH THE LENS

Despina Kyriacou is a Fine Art photographer whose creative journey began with her fascination for capturing the intricate relationships between humanity and nature. Working with a Large Format 5×4 view camera, Kyriacou’s process involves shooting on 5×4 color transparency film, which she later converts into high-resolution digital files. This meticulous approach preserves the sharpness and detail of the original film while allowing her to create stunning exhibition-quality prints.

Kyriacou’s artistic foundation was formed during her studies in Fine Art at art schools in Yorkshire and London, United Kingdom. In Yorkshire, she found herself captivated by the natural and urban landscapes, which became a recurring source of inspiration. During this period, she began exploring her surroundings with a medium format camera, which later evolved into a passion for large format photography. Her ability to distill complex landscapes into semi-abstract compositions stems from her early explorations and remains a cornerstone of her work.

Since childhood, Kyriacou has been drawn to creative expression, starting with drawing and moving into photography during her Art and Design foundation course. Her artistic style blends abstraction with detailed visual storytelling, often exploring seascapes, urbanization, and the interplay between humanity and nature. Through her lens, she aims to challenge viewers to examine the philosophical and intellectual connections between these elements, creating an immersive visual dialogue.

WORKS

A VISUAL JOURNEY INTO NATURE AND HUMANITY

Despina Kyriacou’s work is a thoughtful exploration of the natural and urban landscapes that define our world. Her compositions, often semi-abstract in style, draw the viewer into an intellectual engagement with the environment. For example, her piece “Unseen Motif” embodies the symbolic relationship between humanity and nature, featuring organic forms shaped by the ebb and flow of the sea. This work exemplifies her ability to create visual ambiguity, prompting the audience to delve deeper into the essence of her subjects.

One of Kyriacou’s distinguishing techniques is her use of the Large Format 5×4 camera and transparency film. This choice allows her to achieve unparalleled sharpness and color depth, ensuring her images maintain their authenticity and integrity even in the digital age. She carefully selects her subjects to challenge the often-romanticized depictions of nature, instead presenting a raw, documentary-like perspective that highlights humanity’s complex relationship with the environment.

Her pieces are often inspired by the interplay of light, texture, and color. By capturing these elements in unique ways, she creates a visual language that blurs the line between realism and abstraction. The result is a body of work that invites viewers to question their perceptions of the natural world and reconsider their connection to it. Whether focusing on seascapes, rural environments, or urbanized spaces, Kyriacou’s photography serves as a platform for critical reflection on how we coexist with our surroundings.

Embedded blue wedge
Triangular shaped sand pattern

ARTIST STATEMENT

CAPTURING THE CORE ESSENCE OF OUR WORLD

My work is a visual exploration of how I perceive nature and the environment. I strive to depict nature in its most authentic form, without sentimentality or romanticism. By using large format photography, I aim to capture the essence of a scene with unparalleled sharpness and clarity, inviting viewers to engage with the subtleties of the world around them.

Through my compositions, I seek to challenge the idealized portrayals of nature often found in media and advertising. Instead, I present a perspective that is raw and thought-provoking, encouraging a deeper reflection on humanity’s ambivalent connection to the natural world. My work examines the philosophical and intellectual relationships between light, color, and form, often blurring the lines between abstraction and reality.

Ultimately, I want my audience to question their own relationship with the environment. By creating images that juxtapose humanity and nature, I aim to foster a conversation about how we coexist with the world around us and the impact we have on it. Whether through seascapes, urbanization, or fragments of natural elements, my work seeks to illuminate the complexities of this relationship, leaving room for contemplation and dialogue.

RESUME

EDUCATION, EXHIBITIONS, AND AWARDS

Education:

  • Fine Art Degree, Art School in Yorkshire and London, United Kingdom (1982–1985)

Solo Exhibitions:

  • 1986: Impressions Gallery of Photography, UK (Commissioned to photograph the North East Yorkshire coast)
  • 2003: Riverside Studios, UK

Group Exhibitions:

  • 1988: South London Art Gallery, UK
  • 1994: St. Thomas’s Hospital, London, UK
  • 1995: South Bank Centre, London, UK
  • 2003: Battersea Arts Fair, London, UK
  • 2014: Brick Lane Art Fair, London, UK
  • 2014: The Mall Galleries, London, UK
  • 2015: Art Now: The Artists Fair, London, UK
  • 2016: Brick Lane Gallery, London, UK
  • 2017: The Artist Fair, London, UK

Other Highlights:

  • Featured in numerous art fairs across London, including Art Now and Brick Lane Art Fair, showcasing her signature semi-abstract compositions.

CONTACT DETAILS

GET IN TOUCH

Email: deskyriacou974@gmail.com

Instagram: @deskyriacou9