This space documents my devotion to aspects of life which matter most to me, be they enterprise initiatives I have undertaken in business as an enterpreneur or in heritage as a cultural activist, most of which are fuelled by experiences.
Born in Nicosia, I vividly remember as a four-year-old, the intensity of the bombs that rained down during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, given that our family home was located in what is now the buffer zone of Nicosia. Uprooted in the aftermath of the war, I moved with my family first to Canada, then Greece, and later returned alone to the island, to continue my schooling in my grandmothers’ care.
The desire to heal and preserve what was lost during those early years, would surface decades later, giving voice to those feelings, and today continues to express my love for the heritage of my now-divided home town.
It was not by accident that my earliest workshop and office were based in Phaneromeni Square, within the old town, only meters away from the green line – divide of Nicosia, and at a home in close proximity to the southern-most village along the island’s divide, Pyla.
Having lived through war and displacement, and knowing first-hand how vulnerable heritage continues to be, given the relentless drive of progress, this adaptability and resilience developed within me is also at work in contexts beyond the local.
Primed for a professional road less travelled, the rest of this site chronicles my journey in preserving the best of the past while exercising creative innovation through curatorial practices along the way as we hurtle into the future.
A thought provoking, inclusive and informative engaging or re-orientation of rural and urban environments through a critical approach of cultural decolonisation and ecological rehabilitation. What is anticipated is that through time, a senses approach is cultivated, where the community dynamics act to outnumber the minority skeptical few. Adopting place consciousness enables the land to act as a healing place, through re-connecting with the natural senses of the environment, there where more seems possible.
Curation
Curation of the German-Greek artist residency programme (5 German and 5 Greek artists) which thematically questions and analyses social and cultural traditions in Greece and Germany in visual arts and their impact on contemporary art production.
Curation
Remembering and visually connecting to the 1973-74 memories marked on these concrete pavements of 50 years ago in Varosia. The town sits empty awaiting the return of its inhabitants. A collectible set of 50 post-cards of the pavement inscriptions marked shortly before the invasion in 1973-74.
Heritage Activism
Presented a video and essay on The Dead Zone as a Place-Consciousness Site where we analyse the repercussions that people who frame borders have and invite a tending to this communal shared garden through ecological and justical viability for an active, reactive and contributing community. A critical approach of cultural decolonisation and ecological rehabilitation where a senses approach is cultivated. The land through place-consciousness acts as a healing place, it enables a reconnecting with the natural senses of the environment where more seems possible.
Heritage Activism
A bringing together of Cypriot diaspora communities, prominent figures from Cyprus’ public and private sectors, media, academia, and civic society with the goal of recognising and promoting the importance of Cyprus’ diaspora while strengthening relations through entrepreneurship, innovation, philanthropy, cultural and social engagement.
Cultural Diplomacy
A local integration strategy for foreign born Ypsonas based women; bridging cultural barriers, upskilling, career guidance and social engagement. An EU co-funded partnership program of 8 partner countries.
Integration & Enterpreneurial Strategy
Flower pots soon dried up in Famagusta
Children were ushered indoors in Ayios Pavlos
Grain fields in Kaimakli never welcomed us back
A salty sea breeze cools off Massari and Zodia
Heritage Activism
In embracing our common garden, we invited ideas and local experiences to help us build the peace – gardening project for the future of our divided communities and cities.
Heritage Activism
“Arch and Pillar is She” proposes a gentle meditation on the moments of solidarity and the hidden meanings of feminine crafts, amidst the harsh gendered realities of the industrial labour force. The exhibit layers the Spinnerei setting with ΦΧΨ’s permutations of traditional Cypriot handicrafts and Penny Monogiou’s stories of spinners. Their playful surfaces take risks and invent new languages to give access to dark conditions, while they invite us to see the wealth and beauty beneath.
Heritage Activism
Nicosia, our home town, stands divided with a buffer zone also known as a dead zone, since 1964. This is commonly knows as the Green Line. A British Colonel drew this on a town map, in a green crayon, following the bi-communal unrest of the period following the anticolonial struggle. The Green Line lamp depicts this, a green line, brought to the surface and standing as a division proportionate to that of the island’s. When the lamp is lit the line remains dark.
Heritage Activism
A proposal to be showcased in Hydra reflecting on the anniversary for the 200 years from the Greek Declaration of Independence. An abstract depiction of Hydra and of work created by the great Greek artist Nikos Hadjikyriacos Ghika, while living on the island for some months during the period between the mid 1930’s and early 60’s.
Heritage Activism
A video narrative interlinking historic or heritage buildings implicated in the Berengaria Project, with impact on life in their immediate environment. An Architect, a Civil Engineer, and an Artist each presents their own perspective through architectural, structural, and artistic reflections on how the destruction of monumental landmarks distorts our reference and relation to our cultural heritage.
Heritage Activism
Created under lockdown conditions together with Hamburg based, Cypriot artist Penny Monoyiou. The Spinnerei Archiv Massiv invites Yianna to curate an exhibition within their museum space for a three month period in 2021, with the participation of ΦΧΨ Heritage Design and Penny Monoyiou.
Heritage Activism
Still striving to 
, this puzzle was created as a reminder of the complexity of re-arranging the country. The composition of its parts reflects on the ongoing partition and yet another round of UN led talks. The initial puzzle, made from Peter Marigold’s innovative mouldable plastic glue FORMcard, was created in 2016.
Heritage Activism
The Berengaria Project showcased work by 36 creatives of various disciplines. Berengaria de Navarre’s (the humble Queen of England) short spell on the island and the impact this has had on heritage references within the regions she dwelt.
Heritage Activism
Showcases islandwide in museums, galleries, coffee shops and public spaces throughout the Spring/Summer leading up to the Exhibition in Limassol.
Heritage Activism
Precious frescos, scattered domes
dark enclaves of years untold
Perhaps there’s ten maybe fifteen
that do persist and still exist
And if they do the stars will guide,
let not your land be stripped of sky
Erase the marks, employ your arms,
dig deep at sea but save the scars
Heritage Activism
Five monumental religious sites of the city create a visual worship container. The Container denotes that it Contains matter. There is neither implication nor intent that the Container that Contains will be transferred, much rather its mobility or aspired destination remains irrelevant. And what if the Content is paradoxically deemed unworthy of transferring? Would that somehow belittle its historic role or aspect of essentiality?
Heritage Activism
Design by Contantinos Economides with concept creation by Yianna. The DOT becomes obviously apparent. These perfectly formed round circles emphasise the deceptive simplicity of a DOT in a variety of objects: the calming effect of familiarity with a form is embraced with a painstaking procedure pursued both in material and in craftsmanship. The seemingly simplistic DOT evolves into a dynamic DOTing experience by the excessive fondness and loving creation of the designer.
Entrepreneurial Innovation
*“A rusting yellow Morris Minor buried in weeds on the Green Line has become a landmark mentioned in the UN cease-fire agreement. The Turkish government claims that the line starts at the rear bumber. The UN argues that it’s the front one”.
Heritage Activism
A perspective exhibition of 9 creatives on activating and intergrading the creative industry in sustainable development. The RE-NEW program explores the ‘new’ through the ‘old’ based on cultural heritage which potentially survived similar or perhaps worst events in history.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Kente is a handwoven cloth made by artisans in Ghana, patterns and colours all symbolise aspects of their culture and acts to communicate a message by the weaver. Adaptations were made with their textiles in local projects by Yianna. Supporting traditional craftspeople from various regions assists in their financial viability and the preserving of their craft. Their development and customisation to the needs of current market needs deserves to be both praised and supported.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
A different perspective to the partition seeing a PANTONE coding of all the shades of green on the ‘green line’. PANTONE being the universal language of colour that enables colour-critical decisions through every stage of the workflow for brands and manufacturers. The aim is to raise awareness with this inclusive for all, peace activism project, around the world of what is now an undisturbed ecosystem of almost six decades.
Heritage Activism
A proposal with Turkish Cypriot Aytur Ekingen ‘Δες Ξεχνώ/Βac Unuttuk’ supporting the philosophy that the current status quo is prolonging and indeed enforcing the exact notion of forgetting. The long standing slogan depicting ‘Δεν Ξεχνώ’ – I will not forget is adapted by changing one letter reading I do forget…
Heritage Activism
Work by sustainable design group Imandeco – French design team alongside Togo-based craftsmanship, with the aim of preserving Togo heritage and the viability of the community. M Y O P I A was how we choose to name this project, working with them to promote the work. It denotes looking beyond aesthetics, at factors that influence entrepreneurial ventures such as environmental and climate sensitive issues, as well as heritage preservation..
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Strategy visualisation and curation of the design section of this newly founded Hamburg Gallery. The collaboration saw five Cypriot and seven international designers showcased within the space over two years. Three Cyprus-inspired product lines were created for the gallery: DOTing, Peep Hole and Green Line depicting the Nicosia divide, by Cypriot designers Constantinos Economides and Marios Charalambous.
Enterpreneurial / Heritage Activism
The DOTing Range was presented at the exhibition. The series comprised of lamp, hooks and a mirror. The mirror was nominated for the Excellent Product category the following year in the German Design Awards.
Heritage Activism
Representation and showcasing of work by sustainable design group, a French design team working with Togo-based craftsmanship, preserving the viability of the community M Y O P I A denotes looking beyond aesthetics, and including factors that influence entrepreneurial ventures, such as environmental and climate sensitive issues as well as heritage preservation.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Another conceptual exhibition of accessories with the Togo-based, French design group. Μ Y O P I A denotes looking beyond aesthetics, also considering factors such as environmental and climate sensitive issues as well as heritage preservation, and considering how they all influence entrepreneurial ventures.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Working across various fine art and design collections in business development for the local and regional markets. These items reveal an inspiring dialogue within their environment by Thelermont Hupton. The selection focused on the subtle lines of furniture by a small north London workshop in the 70’s, paying homage to good sturdy and functional items of immense durability by Hitch Mylius.
Innovation / Sustainable Design
This initiative seeks to mend what the divide has caused. Working in close proximity to the green line of Nicosia, the project was initiated to exemplify the richness of the troubled city and its prevailing beauty. The projects pursued reflect its character, objects created emphasise its history and collective activities invite engaging dialogues.
Heritage Activism
Collaboration with and representation of Lithuanian designers March, a company specialising in clever, innovative, and sustainable design, engaging with audiences and providing solutions to daily living that are focused on improvement rather than invention.
Innovation/Sustainable Entrepreneurship
A retrospective exhibition to honour the late artist who taught at the Junior and English School for over 30 years undertaken in my capacity as chairperson of the alumni association and in promoting heritage education.
Heritage Education
An open call for inner city outdoor seating. Collaborated with innovative design team MOVISI on proposing the Q-Couch concept by custom producing stone clad house arches from ARPRO EPP, a 100% recyclable, toxic free, emissions free and allergy friendly material for this seating system in the old town.
Sustainable Entrepreneurship
A collaboration between Yianna and Constantinos within ResART. The collection by this talented wood designer was presented/exhibited whilst he played music on instruments made by himself. This led to further designing for Be the Change, and the ResArt Traditional Hotel.
Innovation/Sustainable Design
Recycled sand bags reflecting the ones found across the buffer zone, used in re-designing a classic Cypriot armchair, the old historic town re-acting and re-thinking its divide. Displayed as stage design for event.
Heritage Activism
Belgium design group represented by Yianna in Cyprus and Greece. Pioneers in designer furniture using innovative material such as Coated Foam, Wallstix and Hard Plastix leading to award winning designs and processes.
Innovation/Sustainable Design
A collaboration within the space where like-minded entrepreneurial, innovation and design thinking was at work. An in-house shop-in-shop was created between the foundation and its ResART space, further enhancing how collectivism can lead to successful growth strategies. This fruitful collaboration continues. Images from features of GREY / BLACK.
Innovation Entrepreneurial
Α collective which pays homage to its heritage, employing local Lebanese craftspeople and imprisoned women who convert hand-woven textiles and embroideries from the Levantine route into contemporary designs. These one of a kind pieces are now collected by connoisseurs and collectors worldwide.
Innovation/Sustainable Design
The innovative plumens, low energy, warm glow, award winning fluorescent light bulbs were introduced first by CC& S in Cyprus. The Plumen 001 prototype is now in the permanent collection of MOMA. Another fruitful and long collaboration giving birth to handcrafted clay items embedded with images sourced from old magazines, documentaries and fairy tale books, cherishing memories in tangible objects, through Kuhn Keramik.
Innovation / Sustainable Design
Dutch Post bags, wool blankets and sugar bags used. A long and fruitful collaboration of upcycled textile and tapestry and product making with Dutch designers, Pippa D.
Sustainable Design
Respecting cultures and ancestry fabrications of our Cypriot identity, crochets and woollen Dutch blankets meet together in this extensive work of familiarity; breeding content and interlinking borders and common boundaries. Blending and transforming through various forms becomes an indicator of intercultural dynamics in heritage preservation.
Heritage Activism
Met Peter at his end of year show of the RCA (trained under Ron Arad) where he showed his Make/Shift shelves. An adaptation in ARPRO EPP of these shelves was made by innovative / sustainable Stuttgart-based group MOVISI, which I went on to represent. Peter’s innovative FORMcard material is sold globally. His work combines natural and man-made materials within simple, austere structures. Designer of the future awards 2019 by Design Miami. His objects and furniture were sold through this fruitful collaboration with Yianna locally.
Innovation / Sustainable Design
Innovative Stuttgart based design group Movisi, brought to the market through Yianna whose organic recyclable systems of modular shelving, storage and solutions for work and living environments were amongst best sellers, primarily in outdoor beach bar and hotel locations.
Innovation Design
Custom adaptation pieces created by design groups FEEK and Contraforma, within the permanent space of the Leventis Municipal Museum. The emblem of the historic Nicosia Museum was adapted to the laser cut steel stools which adorn its halls, colour coded as is each display space.
Innovation Design
Innovative and with multiple design awards, Lithuanian design team Contraforma is exhibited. Architect and head designer Nauris Kalinauskas and curator Egle Opeikiene both attend the exhibition. A plethora of their designs were used in various public spaces in Cyprus and Greece via this collaboration.
Entrepreneurial/ Innovation Design
Within the 10 year tenure as chairperson of the alumni association, collecting and preserving much of the tangible and intangible heritage of the school, giving rise to various projects. In 2022 appointed honorary member for her contribution over the years.
Heritage
Moving on from the financial sector and setting up a working space in a 200 year old building in the old town of Nicosia. This would remain my creative roof until 2011. Cherry Concepts and Spaces was founded in 2005 with a vision of working with and showcasing award winning innovative designers and designs. Sustaining craftsmanship, respecting traditional professions and techniques through this work was how my contribution to heritage begun. Focused on mapping out entrepreneurial strategies for the more established design groups, as well as in mentoring young designers across disciplines and countries.
Entrepreneurial/Innovation Design
