Art Seen is an organization operating as a cultural platform of exchange in contemporary art. Its aim is to create bridges and dialogue between Cyprus and the international contemporary art scene. The idea was born from the need of new and creative collaborations that took a fresh look focusing on contemporary artistic approaches and reflecting upon the dynamic and changing art world.
Over the past ten years Art Seen has been a pioneer in the development of the contemporary art scene in Cyprus.
Art Seen was founded by Maria Stathi, a curator who is passionate about contemporary art. She sees this platform as an opportunity to expand a cultural exchange with reference to the creative ferment around the cultural scene in Cyprus. She wants to develop mechanisms to collaborate, support and promote contemporary artists and their works responding to the current needs of the artists and the public.
Art Seen Projects
Art Seen projects is a non-profit contemporary art platform, which organises curatorial projects and exhibitions of local and international artists. Its program was inaugurated by a group exhibition with thirteen contemporary artists who collaborate with the gallery. This was then followed by the solo exhibition of the important and innovative conceptual artist Amikam Toren. Established and emerging Cypriot and International artists who excel both locally and internationally are part of this ambitious program of exhibitions with both solo and group exhibitions being organised.
The aim is to contribute to the cultural life by educating, reinforcing and developing the art scene of Cyprus as well as providing the opportunity to the local community to be introduced, inspired and familiarise themselves to contemporary art. At the same time Cyprus’ location at the cross roads of three continents, provides our platform with a unique position, enabling it to create bridges and dialogue between Europe, Middle East, and the International contemporary art scene.
Art Seen Editions
Art Seen editions commissions artists to produce ‘original’ limited edition prints and multiples that are available for sale online. The proceeds from the sale of the editions and multiples are used to support the exhibition program of our platform. Editions are strictly limited and there are no further releases at a later stages. The limited edition prints and multiples meet the desires not only of collectors but also of art lovers who wish to invest in contemporary art by important contemporary artists.
Art Seen is one of the few contemporary art spaces in Cyprus and was founded in 2013 and stared its operation in 2015. Art Seen commits to introduce artists who make up the local and international contemporary art scene, emphasizing the importance of their work. Art Seen aims to develop long-term relationships with museums, galleries and non-commercial institutions, curators, art-critics, collectors and the public.
Maria Stathi is the Founder and Director of Art Seen - Contemporary Art Projects & Editions. She is an independent curator and director of art galleries with 20 years' experience of building successful collaborations with artists, galleries, institutions and collectors.
She lived in London between 1999 and 2010, where she was the director of Anthony Reynolds Galleryin, the West End in London, for over five years. In September 2010, she moved to Cyprus, where she was the director of Omikron Gallery. Parallel to this she was responsible for Nicos Chr. Pattichis private collection and the upcoming Cyprus Contemporary Art Museum where she Co-curated the exhibition UTOPIA at Evagoras Lanitis Centre in Limassol.
In 2015, she founded Art Seen as an opportunity to expand on cultural exchanges and synergies. Art Seen has been a pioneer in the development of the contemporary art scene in Cyprus and has become an organisation that creates bridges and dialogue between Cyprus and the international contemporary art scene.
In 2013, she participated in Rooms exhibition at St George Lycabettus Hotel, Athens, where she was the curator of Eva Marathaki’s Room 525. She is the Co-curator of the 1st Edition "Exercises on Democracy" of White House Biennial, Athens. Maria has edited numerous publications including Savvas Christodoulides catalogue Things Contemplated and Reassigned, Socratis Socratous book The History of the War of Cyprus amongst others and has contributed articles in catalogues and magazines including SOUTH As a state of mind magazine.
Over the past fourteen years, Maria has curated and organised more that thirty-five solo exhibitions and twenty group exhibitions, showcasing the works of both established and emerging artists. By using her expertise in contemporary art she can advice and assist both private and corporate clients on all aspects of collecting and building a coherent contemporary art collection.
Maria received an MA in Art and Space from Kingston University, a Post Graduate Diploma in Art History from the Open University UK and a BA in Interior Architecture from the University of Middlesex in London. She also studied various courses in History of Art, Contemporary Art, Art Criticism, Curating, Exploring Prints and Multiples at Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Central Saint Martins College of Art.
Maria is a member of the Association of Women in the Arts (AWITA) in London.
