Almost 10,000 people have visited Dundee University’s art, design and architecture degree show, which closes its doors this weekend.
The university’s Duncan of Jordanstone college of art and design (DJCAD) has been transformed into Scotland’s largest exhibition space for the event, which features close to 300 graduates’ work.
One of those exhibiting their creations is Greek Cypriot fine art student Leda Solomonidou, who has chosen to explore the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
The invasion was launched in response to a coup d’état that installed a pro-Greek regime in an island fought over by the two countries for centuries.
In Leda’s exhibit, 1619 silver nails protrude from the wall to represent each of the Greek-Cypriot people ‘missing’ during the conflict and its aftermath. Each nail has the date that person disappeared inscribed underneath it.
The northern part of the island was annexed following the invasion, with Greek-Cypriots expelled and Turkish-Cypriots displaced from the south to the north.
There is still a clear divide on the island, despite some political progress in recent years.
In creating another piece, Leda has created giant “worry beads” hanging from the wall with 207 clay beads of varying sizes representing each occupied village, town or city on the island.
Leda, 22, originally from Larnaca on Cyprus, said her work aims to be non-partisan and draw attention to the effect of war wherever it occurs in the world and the plight of refugees in particular.
She said: “I have deliberately avoided criticising one side or the other or getting involved in the rights or wrongs of the situation. In war there are always consequences for people on either side – tragedy, human cost and devastation – and that’s what I wanted to focus on. This is relevant to today’s situation too when you consider the ongoing refugee crisis.
“This is part of our history, what we grew up with. Even though it happened before I was born I knew family and friends were caught up in it. Every Cypriot knows someone who was killed, disappeared or displaced.”
The degree show is open until 4pm on Sunday. For more information www.dundee.ac.uk/djcad/degreeshow.
