ΓΚΑΡΑΖ ART SPACE
SIMONIS, SIMONIS: Nostalgia for signifiers of what never was. Installation view at ΓΚΑΡΑΖ art space, 2025.
ΓΚΑΡΑΖ(garage) art space was established in 2016 and is housed in the historic centre of Nicosia. Two years later, in 2018, the Lefteris Economou Cultural Foundation, a non-profit organization, was founded in the same space to preserve and promote the memory and work of the painter and engraver Lefteris Economou (1930-2007). Together, they form two distinct yet complementary initiatives.
ΓΚΑΡΑΖ aims to support and promote the artistic work of Cypriot artists especially visual artists starting from the First generation (beginning of the 20th century) until today. Βy organizing and supporting a wide range of activities such as exhibitions and workshops, ΓΚΑΡΑΖ invites the public, particularly young people, to view and become familiar with the work of Cypriot artists, both established and newcomers, thus increasing public involvement with local art and culture.
At the same time, the Foundation and ΓΚΑΡΑΖ(garage) aim to develop collaboration with other Cultural Foundations abroad.
MARIA LEONIDOU
(CY)
Maria Leonidou graduated from the University of Fine Arts in Thessaloniki, completing part of her studies at the School of Fine Arts of the Complutense University in Madrid. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Fine Arts in Birmingham. She has exhibited her work in exhibitions and participated in projects and residencies. Her key works include “Rendered Skin” at TMS-CYENS, “Deforming Hybrids” with CUT, and “REEL” with Lia Haraki. In 2022, her work was included in the European Parliament Contemporary Art Collection. She is the founder of the Azines library and works with 3D modeling, video art and installations.
ELPIDA FRANGKESKIDOU-KHENKIN
(CY)
Elpida Fragkeskidou-Khenkin (b. 1996, Nicosia, Cyprus) is a visual artist whose practice explores material, memory, and audience engagement through ceramics, sculpture, painting, and installation. She graduated from the Athens School of Fine Arts and has participated in group exhibitions in Athens and London, as well as residencies in Cyprus at Korai Project Space and Phytorio. Currently, she is taking part in the group exhibition Agropoetics: Soils/Bodies at the Museum of Contemporary Art (SPÉL), Nicosia, Cyprus, part of the Cyprus EU Presidency cultural program. The artist is the founder of Kuns Studio, a multifunctional art space in Nicosia that combines artistic practice with participatory projects with clay and other visual practices. The studio also offers hands-on programs in schools, museums, and cultural institutions. Her professional experience includes collaborations with major institutions, museums, and cultural spaces such as the Cyprus Museum, Leventio Gallery, Leventio Municipal Museum, State Gallery of Contemporary Art – Majestic, BAF, the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST), the 6th Athens Biennale ANTI, Hot Wheels Projects, Art Athina International Art Fair, and the Onassis AiR program.
