Contemporary Australian art finds a home among ancient ruins in Cyprus

The visitors centre at the Archaeological Park at Paphos in Cyprus is swarming with tourists. It sits within a converted carob warehouse of the 18th century; and it is the last place you would expect to see contemporary art. Especially art from Australia. But it is currently home for works by nine Australian artists.

The exhibition Journeys to Cyprus is on in Paphos in October and is presented on behalf of the Australian High Commission in Nicosia and the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus. 

The exhibition presents creations by Australian artists who worked in 2023 at the archaeological site of the ancient theatre of Nea Paphos in Cyprus, part of the World Heritage listed Archaeological Park of Paphos. 

Archaeologists from the University of Sydney have been excavating at the site for three decades painstakingly reconstructing the way the ancient Hellenistic and Roman theatre was used for more than 600 years in antiquity as well as the complex legacy of medieval farms and buildings over the site. 

In that time, Australian artists have worked alongside archaeologists to find creative ways of engaging with Cyprus’ rich archaeological past. 

The idea of Professor Diana Wood Conroy, formerly of the University of Wollongong, on the integration of artists into the archaeological work has successfully resulted in exhibitions in Sydney, Canberra and Wollongong, as well as Cyprus.

Journeys to Cyprus features works in ceramic, on paper and canvas, tapestries, figurines and video installations. 

It includes works by Madeline Kelly and Angela Brennan, both recent finalists in the 2025 Archibald Prize, as well as beautiful woven and dyed tapestries by Kay Lawrence; a collage work by Janis Jefferies; a ceramic installation by Penny Harris and wool and textile works by Agnieszka Golda. 

Koraly Dimitriadis’ short film of her spoken word piece Yiayia mou which was filmed at the ancient theatre is also featured in the exhibition. 

Journeys to Cyprus explores the rich connections between Australia and Cyprus through creative works inspired by ancient performers on the theatre, the process of archaeological investigations, Cypriot traditional arts, and by the goddess Aphrodite herself.

The exhibition is on in Paphos until 15 October.