Isnotgallery in Nicosia will host the new solo art exhibition by Cypriot visual artist Maria Kofterou, titled Landscapes II / in vitro, opening on Wednesday, 27 May. The upcoming collection explores the concept of the landscape as a tranquil sanctuary, focusing on its atmospheric qualities and the delicate interplay between different natural phenomena and species that form a unified whole.
The exhibition builds upon the artist's previous creative research regarding the relationship between nature, human perception and memory.
Philosophy and creative technique
The thematic foundation of the series relies on the scientific term in vitro, which describes biological processes conducted artificially outside a living organism inside a laboratory vessel. Kofterou applies this concept to artistic observation, treating the landscape not as a mere objective replication of the physical world, but as a controlled, lived experience and a distinct state of mind.
This approach aligns with the philosophical theories of Georg Simmel, who defined a landscape as a unique unity emergent from various natural elements arranged across the earth. The cohesive components that shape the perception of the viewer establish the emotional resonance or psychological tone of the scenery.
To convey this theme, Kofterou utilizes ink line drawings on paper, where fragmented boundaries contrast against empty white backgrounds that serve as vital dynamic spaces. The drawings are only considered complete once they are permanently sealed inside bespoke protective glass cases. These enclosures are crafted by adapting a small-scale stained-glass method originally pioneered by Louis Comfort Tiffany, serving as both a preservation tool and an organic component of the artwork itself.
Artist background and event details
Born in Cyprus in 1986, Kofterou studied painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts and philosophy at the University of Cyprus. Her multidisciplinary practice primarily centers on drawing, alongside experiments in glassmaking, mural painting, ceramics and illustration. She has showcased her work in numerous domestic and international exhibitions, including her previous showcase Landscapes I / in vitro at Isnotgallery in 2022 and Coexistence at Arts Itoya in 2025, where she presented her Nature Drawings series. In 2025, she also received an illustration award from the Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. She currently lives and works in Nicosia.
The exhibition launch will take place on Wednesday, 27 May at 19:30 at Isnotgallery, located at 11 Odysseos Street, 1017 Nicosia. The collection will remain open to the public until 10 June.
Regular gallery operating hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10:30 to 12:30 and 15:30 to 18:00, and Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:00. Further inquiries can be directed to the gallery administration.
