The founder of the workshop is Christos Askotis, almost 70 years old who doesn’t stop dreaming, creating, trying, a talented master of the simplest material on earth, clay. In his hands, clay takes shape, and the Cypriot tradition comes alive.
Walking around the workshop, images from Cypriot tradition and history come to life. Dancers with traditional outfits, women in traditional costumes, donkeys, shepherds, farmers, violinists, lute players and others are incarnated in front of us making us realize the supreme value of creation.
https://www.facebook.com/askottpottery/photos
https://www.facebook.com/askottpottery/photos
Christos Askotis was born in Askas village, in Nicosia. He studied the art of pottery at the Technical School in Famagusta by Andreas Poiros, teacher of pottery. Since then, he has been working as a professional potter starting from Famagusta, Nicosia and now in Paralimni.
He is the only one in Cyprus who makes his own clay. His workshop in Paralimni is an oasis of creativity for young children, passers-by and tourists. Visitors not only watch but also create their own projects. They can play and experiment with the pottery wheel but also make their own creation. He also teaches courses in pottery and 3D constructions in his workshop.
In an effort to teach young children the art of pottery, he visits schools and introduces the students to the most ancient art and decoration that has malleable clay as its basic material. Thus, it gives children the opportunity to express themselves, experiment, play and have fun while learning this particular art.
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He cooperated and collaborated with artists in various artistic creations. Also, he affords services of his art to the municipalities of the Famagusta district, and he represents the Cypriot pottery in several missions of these municipalities abroad. He participates in various exhibitions of ceramic in Cyprus and abroad. His creations are adoring private collections, museums as well monumental creations in Cyprus and abroad.
One of his most impressive creations was the project “The rock and its story” in collaboration with the art painter Loizos Sergiou. The project is located in the Sculpture Park of Ayia Napa and depicts the traditional life of Cyprus in its various aspects. Castles, monasteries, chapels, beaches, traditional houses, courtyards, traditional activities of Cypriots, dancing, weddings, baptisms and funerals, milking, halloumi making, donkey transportation and more adorn this particular rock.
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