Much like seaside villages of St. Ives and Newlyn in my native Cornwall, Cyprus is a magnet for artists drawn by the quality of the light and the clarity of the colours. Whilst I have no pretensions to being an artist of that calibre, I absolutely couldn’t fail to see these amazing colours for myself – and how some of them are reflected in Persian Glazes colours. So with nothing else in mind but playing, I designed a small range of Cyprus Tiles.
The nature of these Persian glazes does not allow for pointed or sharp edges in the design process because edges blur in the kiln, which of course is part of their charm. So no Mediterranean Cypress trees in regimented rows where they have been re-foresting the pointed hills (the ones which look like a moon landscape from the air). And no bright red hibiscus or pink oleander either because those colours do not exist in the range. But deep red watermelon and cheeky pomegranate – oh yes! And the colours of the sea are the colours of Persian Glazes – Ultramarine, Jade, Turquoise, Celadon, Light Blue and deep Cobalt. Plus of course an orange sun in a beautiful blue sky. (OK so I cheated here but mostly because the orange and blue really work together!)
I’ve started so I shall finish with maybe a couple more: some black olives, and maybe some Famagusta kolokasi. These look like giant rhubarb elephant ears in the fields and are very much in line/on trend with all the jungle prints around at the moment. I’m sure the Cypriot farmers would be bemused – or amused – if they went viral!
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