The Cypriot Playing Cards Walking Stick Exhibition

The Cypriot Playing Cards Walking Stick - Savvas Papasavvas,
alumnus of the FA Sculpture studio and CSM 3d graduate 2004-2007

at

22 Little Russell Street, Bloomsbury

PV 4th March at 6pm-9pm,
Show continues 5th & 6th March, 11am to 6pm.

"Cyprus is a metaphor to me and I don’t see it as part of my identity, at least not in any traditional sense of the word, where identity refers to the past. Cyprus as a metaphor refers to the future and while the future is not known, not preordained, as a metaphors it is still distinctly recognisable and symbolises more than just sameness. That is more than the sameness between Greek Cypriots and Greece or Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. If my identity were to be Cypriot, it would only be Cypriot, as is this walking stick.

The Cyprus problem is one of many examples of divided communities across the globe but unlike Palestine or Northern Ireland, it is not a religious conflict. I suppose I make a point of this because it is a positive aspect to the problem and it may be a reason why a solution could be found. Religion is deeply rooted in the past and the past can’t change, especially if your identity and your past are the same thing. But when your identity is more like a metaphor then you are rooted in the future.

Maybe I am clutching at straws here but I felt I needed to make these points before another Greek or Greek Cypriot comes and slaps me on the back, shouting, “Ré Malaka! Are you Greek?” Or if no Turkish or Turkish Cypriot decides to come to the show because they see the ‘Papa’ before the ‘savva.’"


Savvas will be will be coming to the Foundation FA Sculpture studio to present his work and experience.

Hopefully see you there on thursday.