Marina Rafeal (Cyprus)
Marina Rafael is a Greek-Cypriot artist, based in Cyprus with an energetic creative experience of 27yrs. She began as a self taught artist who graduated with Master in Art and Craft in Education, Roehampton University of Surrey, London and Fine Arts Degree from Central Saint Martins College of Arts, London. She also attended short courses for bowing glass at Sunderland University, UK and painting on cathedral stained glass at Surrey University, London.
With 9 solo exhibitions and many group exhibitions as well local and international, received many excellent comments and feedback for her work, vibrant colors and techniques, characterizing her work as “alive” work. From early childhood she was awarded for her talent as being selected for two scholarships, one in France Baccalaureate Beaux Arts in France and Chinese School of Arts in China but unfortunately by that time could not attend. But her passion for creativity, experimentation and exploring new art techniques did not stop. Among her creative development was learning traditional religious painting of church icons, sculpting, guiding and mosaics.
From her first exhibition she received a very big publicity, was a sold out exhibition and grand exposure was made for her work through local channels and media. The following exhibition which was inspired my an Installation at Kew Gardens in London, she received an inspirational warm feedback from the famous American Glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. The following solo and group exhibitions as well received many positive comments. Among her creations we can find the limited collection of hand painted leather bags, fine porcelain artifacts hand painted, furniture decorated and painted as well as gilded, engraving on glass, stained glass paintings, illustration of three children’s books, painting on large wooden boards and painting on a piano.
The last 15yrs she has also been well known as a wall mural artist, decorating interior and exterior walls by painting with a brush creating a 3D perspective designs for clinics, hospitals, five star Hotels -ST RAPHAEL SPA AND RESORT, LIMASSOL, LE MERIDIEN SPA AND RESORT, LIMASSOL AND PARK LANE LUXURE RESORT, LIMASSOL, schools, companies, buildings and offices. She had also lovely collaborations with Samsung team from Belgium for “Theotokos Project” , for kids with special needs and with the collaboration of Hellenic Bank decorated Paphos Hospital “Pediatric floor”. Furthermore after the invitation of Zee Arts Gallery attended to the project “Little Picasso” in Dubai for kids with special needs in collaboration with the Hotel Palm Jumeirah.
The years 2018,2019 were very fruitful, having participated at the World Art Fair in Dubai, receiving many positive and excellent comments, collaboration with international galleries, media and publications while being invited to represent her country at Singapore Art Fair, Tatinis Art Fair again collecting many positive reviews for her unique portraits. Her work also presented by the Art Magazine Iris, presenting her as an excellent new artist. The same year invited by Index, Hotel show to present her work where new opportunities rise up with running projects. At 2018 presented her work at Florence Biennale, Italy and Carrousel the Louvre again collecting many positive comments. In March she also participated with Zee Arts Gallery at the exhibition “ Art connects women” at the Hotel One and Only in Dubai. The past year 2019 she undertook a project for the Russian Company Propeller Ads, a project for St Raphael Spa and Resort and a project for Park Lane Luxury resort as well as for Limassol Medical Center, another project. She also participated again at Index Hotel Show at World Trade Center and new projects rise up for Dubai.
Her creativity and passion, will never stop as well as experimentation with materials and techniques. Through her art she wants to bring happiness, euphoria, awake walls and make viewers dream and lost to her work. Every painting is followed up by an authenticity certificate as well as the story behind that painting.
