Apostolos Kouroupakis
In the quiet halls of the Larnaca Municipal Gallery, the art of Toula Liasi is quietly resonating, revealing the personal history of a family and a time. Her exhibition, "Synchronizing History," curated by Xenios Simeonidis, features over 55 artworks—including paintings, photographs, videos, and installations—that delve into her family's past and broader historical themes.
The Liasi family, from Agia Triada Yialousa in Karpasia, has left an indelible mark on the local history. Savvas and Maroula Liasis lived for nearly 50 years in a state of confinement, their son Giannakis died in Klepini, Kyrenia. Toula Liasi's exhibition brings their story to life, capturing not only her family's narrative but also the essence of an entire era.
“My focus is not just on the emotional value but on the inspiration I draw from these objects,” Liasi said. She describes her home in Agia Triada as still brimming with items that sparked her creativity. “I see these objects as forms, shapes, and colors that inspire me, much like how a painter uses colors from a palette.”
"There is emotional value for sure, but mostly I give weight to the way they inspire me" and she adds that her house in Agia Triada is still full of objects, but "these objects inspired me, I just like them as a form, as a shape, as a color... ".
Liasi’s journey began after her parents' passing when she discovered hundreds of items in their home. “I needed to categorize and understand these items, both for their aesthetic value and their historical significance. I wanted to use them to create something meaningful,” she explained. Her goal is to highlight both the aesthetic and historical narratives of these objects, reflecting on how they contributed to her family's experience.
Walking through the gallery, one can appreciate how Liasi’s exhibition, with Simeonidis's curatorial guidance, transcends the specifics of her family’s history to touch on a universal experience. Her works, though rooted in personal history, evoke a collective sense of memory and belonging.
Liasi describes the process as cathartic. “This exhibition feels like an end, a way to close a chapter,” she said. “It’s about showing what happened and how I’ve reinterpreted it.” She also notes that while her works are inspired by sentimental objects, they are reimagined to focus on their form and color rather than symbolism. “I don’t like to impose symbolic meanings. For me, it’s about how these objects inspire me.”
Some items, like old doilies or broken chairs, have been transformed into new artistic expressions. “The broken chairs, when placed under the sycamore tree, created beautiful shadows that I wanted to capture,” Liasi shared. She emphasizes that her works are not intended to shout the history of her family or their confinement but to whisper their stories, inviting viewers to engage with them on a personal level.
“Synchronizing History” is more than a reflection of the past; it is a tribute to the enduring influence of personal and collective histories. “I want to honor my parents and their struggles, showing respect for their legacy through my work,” Liasi said.
The exhibition is on display at the Larnaca Municipal Gallery, located on Athens Avenue at Europa Square, Larnaca. For those interested in exploring Liasi's artistic journey and her family's significant history, this exhibit offers a poignant and deeply personal perspective on Cyprus's past.
[This article was translated from its Greek original]
