American artist turns Cyprus' ancient stones into vibrant art

Have you ever heard of any Cypriot artists climbing up into the mountains on an extremely hot day just to collect stones and extract colors? Well, never have I. For Elisabeth Heying, an American artist, material researcher, and educator, Cyprus is a living canvas full of ancient stories waiting to be uncovered. As she explores the island's archaeological sites and abandoned mines, she collects stones not just for pigments for her paintings but also to uncover centuries-old stories.

Elisabeth’s quest into the world of pigments began at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. There, she mastered the art of creating paints from scratch using egg yolk, beeswax, and rabbit skin glue. This immersion in the chemistry and history of paints ignited a lifelong passion.

“Growing up near Saint Paul, Minnesota, I'd dig up worms and explore rock beds, imagining I might uncover dinosaur fossils,” she reminisces, hinting at her early fascination with the natural world.

Her path led her to Santiago, Chile where she scoured local landscapes for stones, minerals, clays, and soils to craft pigments for her artworks. This laid the groundwork for her current work in Cyprus. These materials not only expanded her color palette but also enriched her understanding of geological and cultural histories, each pigment telling its own story of time and place.

Elisabeth arrived in Cyprus in September 2023 with a Fulbright Award to explore the island's ancient pigments, including ochres and umbers, which are not widely known locally. Her project, titled "Throughlines in the Cypriot Landscape: Pigments and the Essence of Place," involves collecting and archiving these pigments to create artworks that highlight Cyprus' hidden stories. She is working with CAARI and CYENS, blending art and archaeological research, to bring Cyprus' cultural richness to a global audience.

Elisabeth’s approach to pigment collection is both meticulous and ethical. "As a rule, I don’t dig," she asserts. “I gather pigments from already disturbed landscapes, eroded cliff sides, road cuts, and construction sites." Each entry in her pigment archive carefully records how raw materials transform into artworks, preserving Cyprus’ natural colors.

Her exhibition, "Fragments & Throughlines," marked the culmination of her Cyprus venture. It showcased not just paintings and artifacts but an exploration of how landscapes and artworks intertwine through materials. The "Provenance I-IV" series features egg tempera paintings of quarries and historical sites, using local stones and pigments to connect ancient landscapes with contemporary art, weaving together a rich historical narrative.

Another series, "Dust to Dust I-IX," presented monochromatic oil paintings of abstract archaeological sites. Painted on linen with crushed pigment, these works embodied Elisabeth's creative process. Reflecting on her exhibition, she shared, "In 'Fragments & Throughlines,' I aimed to harmonise diverse artworks with a consistent palette of local earth colors. It's an eclectic approach that unites materials and concepts."

The exhibition also featured her pigment archive, field notebooks, and a documentary showcasing her artistic process and research. This comprehensive approach provided viewers with a deeper understanding of Elisabeth’s exploration of Cyprus’ rich cultural and geological tapestry.

Elisabeth Heying's evolving journey as an artist illustrates the transformative power of creativity. Her Cyprus project delves into the island's geological and cultural richness, exploring the Troodos mountain ophiolite and its history of copper mining. She reveals how natural resources have shaped Cyprus’ cultural identity and inspired her creative process.

Her collections from Chile and Cyprus, each comprising 30 entries, reflect her reverence for the environment and keen eye for hidden beauty. As a board member of Pigments Revealed International, Elisabeth envisions a future where understanding and creating materials is pivotal. "There's a rising interest in hands-on learning and sustainable practices," she observes, reconnecting us with our materials and revitalising cultural practices.

From Minnesota to Chicago, Chile, and now Cyprus, Elisabeth draws inspiration from her diverse experiences. "Place is fundamental," she says. "Living in different locations has broadened my perspective as both a person and artist, revealing the vast interconnectedness of our world." Looking ahead, Elisabeth is excited about forthcoming projects, including a residency in Scotland and a children’s book on ochre. Her collection of Cypriot pigments at CAARI will remain a valuable educational resource, continuing to inspire and educate future generations even after she has completed her work and moved on.

Elisabeth Heying's exploration in Cyprus uncovers rare pigments like ochres and umbers, often overlooked by locals but rich in historical significance. With a Fulbright Award, she ethically gathers these pigments from disturbed landscapes, blending sustainability with artistic creativity. Her vibrant artworks not only showcase Cyprus' geological wonders but also connect ancient stories with modern applications like textiles and storytelling. Elisabeth's journey reveals Cyprus as a source of cultural richness and sustainable inspiration, bridging past and present through its natural landscapes.

More photos below:

Elisabeth Heying in conversation at her presentation and pigment demonstration at Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI) in April

Gallery shot of Fragments & Throughlines exhibition by Elisabeth Heying at Thinker Maker Space at CYENS Centre of Excellence

Five color excerpt from the Cypriot Pigment Archive

Processed earth pigments drying in trays

Watch Fragments & Throughlines video documentary by Elisabeth Heying below: