Bathing

1968

Stassinos Paraskos
Bathing is a theme used by Cezanne and Matisse and their influence is apparent in the top half of the painting where the figures go about the everyday act of bathing in the shallows. The figure in the bottom half exists in a spatially disconnected place perhaps a reference to Goya's Nude Maja or possibly Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus' which both present symbolic ideas of women. Paraskos studied and taught in Leeds during the 1950s and 1960s after arriving from his native Cyprus to cook in his brother's restaurant. In 1966 he was involved in a court case similar to the Lady Chatterley trial of 1960, for displaying paintings that were 'lewd and obscene'. He was fined £5. Moving back to Cyprus in 1969, he was instrumental in the foundation of the Cyprus College of Art where he still lives. Tom Heaven
  • Artwork Details: 61 x 61cm
  • Edition:
  • Material description: oil on hardboard
  • Credit line: © the artist
  • Theme: Figurative
  • Medium: Painting
  • Accession number: AC 1088

Explore this Artwork

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Ink Resist with Lou Brett

36 mins - all ages.

Have you ever tried the magical technique of ink resist? Inspired by the still life paintings of Stass Paraskos, Lou Brett will lead you through this intriguing process.

This workshop was commissioned as part of Palace of Culture, a virtual exhibition created in collaboration with V21 Artspace, Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange and Arts Council Collection for the National Partners Programme.

Filmmaker: Alban Roinard

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Painting, Drawing & Offsetting with Naomi Frears

59 minutes - all ages

Attending Stass Paraskos' art school in Cyprus was pivotal in encouraging a young Naomi Frears to pursue a career as an artist. Here she recounts the warmth and generosity of Stass as she employs various creative responses to a selection of his work. 

This workshop was commissioned as part of Palace of Culture, a virtual exhibition created in collaboration with V21 Artspace, Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange and Arts Council Collection for the National Partners Programme.

Filmmaker: Alban Roinard

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