10 Questions with Adonis Antoniou

Adonis Antoniou is a Cypriot-Syrian artist whose diverse cultural heritage plays a pivotal role in shaping his artistic vision. His dual origins are a key influence in his work, particularly in his exploration of freedom through abstract art. For Antoniou, the act of creating abstract pieces is a personal moment of liberation, where he transcends boundaries and finds space for self-expression. This freedom is also reflected in his conceptual installations, where he continues to explore themes of identity and transformation.

Growing up in an environment enriched by his father's influence—an abstract painter—Antoniou developed a deep connection to abstraction from a young age. In 2014, he relocated from Cyprus to Barcelona to study Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona, where he honed his craft and further refined his conceptual approach to art.

www.adonisantoniou.com | @adonis.antoniou

ARTIST STATEMENT

Adonis Antoniou's artistic practice challenges perceptions and provokes thought by addressing global issues such as borders, racism, and violence. His installations aim to inspire self-reflection, urging viewers to envision a world free of divisions, prejudice, and aggression.

Antoniou's abstract work, documents the essence of life, capturing raw emotions and moments. Each painting stands as a testament to the variability of daily life, transforming abstract art into both a narrative medium and a tool for personal liberation. Through his creations, he explores freedom while contributing to a shared vision of unity.

No Title XIII, Acrylic on paper, 21 x 14,8 cm, 2023 © Adonis Antoniou

INTERVIEW

Can you tell us about your dual heritage as a Cypriot-Syrian artist and how it shapes your creative vision and approach to abstract art?

As a Cypriot-Syrian artist, my dual heritage profoundly shapes my creative vision, bridging rich cultural legacies with the weight of historical conflict. Growing up with my father, an abstract painter, I was immersed in the expressive potential of abstraction from an early age. This foundation was strengthened through my Fine Arts studies at the University of Barcelona, where I refined my ability to use abstraction as a language for exploring complex emotional and societal themes.
Abstract art, historically born from the upheavals of the 20th century, resonates deeply with me as a way to process and reflect on the fragmented realities of my heritage. My work is both personal and universal, translating themes like division, resilience, and hope into dynamic compositions. Whether through abstract painting or conceptual installations, I strive to create spaces for dialogue, encouraging viewers to engage with global issues like borders, violence, and racism while reflecting on shared human experiences.
For me, abstraction is not just an artistic choice but a necessary tool for liberation—capturing the inexpressible and envisioning a space where the audience can engage with what they see and feel on a deeply emotional level.

No Title XIV, Acrylic on paper, 14,8 x 21 cm, 2023 © Adonis Antoniou

Growing up with your father as an abstract painter, how did his influence shape your early artistic journey and your connection to abstraction?

Growing up surrounded by art, my father not only introduced me to abstraction but also showed me that artistic expression was a powerful and limitless form of communication. From an early age, I attended exhibitions of his and his fellow artists, immersing myself in a creative world where I naturally found my place. These experiences solidified my belief that art was not just a passion but my true path.
One of my father's closest friends, Glyn Hughes—one of the most influential abstract painters in Cyprus—played a significant role in shaping my artistic journey. Each time we met, he would gift me a sketchbook and a pen, a small yet profound gesture that made me feel seen as an artist, not just as a child. Knowing that such a renowned figure, and not just my father, believed in me reinforced my confidence and deepened my commitment to art. Spending time with him and my father, often collaborating on works together, allowed me to engage with abstraction in a more intuitive way. Over time, the seemingly chaotic shapes that surrounded me started to take on meaning, shaping my understanding of composition, movement, and artistic freedom.

What motivated your move to Barcelona in 2014, and how did studying Fine Arts at the University of Barcelona refine your conceptual and artistic approach?

I moved to Barcelona driven by intuition, knowing that this city had given birth to many great artists. Without ever having visited before, I felt an inexplicable pull toward it. Once there, I quickly realized my strength in painting, as reflected in the feedback from my professors. However, the diverse range of classes opened new possibilities, each leading down different artistic paths.
Intrigued by the unfamiliar, I chose to explore conceptual art—an approach that initially challenged me. I struggled to understand how something so seemingly simple could be considered art. But that very challenge is what drew me in; I saw an opportunity for growth and a chance to push my creative boundaries. By my second year, I decided to step away from traditional painting classes at the university and instead immersed myself in engraved art techniques such as linocut and printmaking. This shift allowed me to merge my knowledge of painting with new techniques, leading to results that felt fresh and innovative.
During this period, I stopped painting for nearly two years, dedicating my time solely to experimentation. I explored different materials, techniques, and concepts without the pressure of producing finished works. This break from painting was transformative—it expanded my understanding of artistic expression and allowed me to develop a more powerful and refined approach. When I eventually returned to painting, I incorporated everything I had learned, enriching my style with new layers of depth, texture, and meaning.
For my final degree project, I returned to Cyprus to develop a conceptual art piece rooted in my homeland's history—a land marked by conflict, war, and division. It was a deeply personal journey, using my artistic practice to reflect on themes of identity, memory, borders, and resilience. The outcome was even more fulfilling than I had imagined, reinforcing my belief in art's power to communicate, challenge, and heal.

You often describe creating abstract art as a personal moment of liberation. Can you elaborate on what freedom means to you in the context of your artistic practice?

For me, freedom in art is the ability to create without constraints—without rules, expectations, or limitations. When I engage in abstraction, I enter a space where my intuition takes the lead, allowing me to express emotions, thoughts, and energy in their purest form. It's a dynamic dialogue between myself and the canvas, where control fades away, and I am free to explore uncharted territories of creativity.
At its core, abstract art is a personal moment of liberation because it allows me to break free from traditional structures and embrace a more fluid, spontaneous process. I don't have to adhere to predefined meanings or fixed ideas; instead, I'm liberated to experiment with form, color, and texture in ways that feel instinctual and authentic to me. As I've explored in my work, including pieces showcased on my website, abstraction becomes a way of translating raw, internal experiences into visual language, one that doesn't rely on external validation but on personal expression.
What excites me is how abstraction allows me to push boundaries—not just in terms of technique, but also in terms of thought. It's about breaking down the barriers between self-expression and external expectation, offering a space where both the artist and the viewer can feel unencumbered, free to interpret and experience the work in their own unique way. In this sense, freedom in my art is not just about creating—it's about the continuous process of discovery, both within myself and through the connection my work makes with others.

Your installations address powerful global issues like borders, racism, and violence. How do you approach translating such complex themes into visual and conceptual installations?

In my installations, I aim to create environments that invite the viewer to step into the experience of another, challenging their perception and making them reflect on complex, often difficult topics. A key intention is to affect the viewer's consciousness—sometimes by drawing them into a more soothing, less confrontational space, and at other times by creating tension, making them feel unsettled or confronted. The goal is for the viewer to feel both shaken and engaged throughout the experience, leaving them with lingering questions and emotions.
A great example of this approach is my project La Tierra Es Tuya. In this work, I created an immersive environment that draws the viewer into an intimate confrontation with themes of land, ownership, and identity. By using simple yet powerful visual elements, I aimed to create an atmosphere that allowed the viewer to reflect on what it means to claim something as "yours," particularly when it relates to conflict, ownership, and history. Additionally, I reflect on the violent history of the land and its division, examining how these forces shape our perceptions of belonging and possession. Through the ambiguity and the layered, subtle symbolism in the installation, I sought to evoke feelings of discomfort and contemplation, questioning the very nature of ownership, violence, and division.
Poetry and enigma are central to this process. They invite viewers to look beyond the surface, engage with the unknown aspects of the work, and find their ownmeaning in it. By doing so, I aim to create a dialogue that isn't just between the viewer and the artwork, but also within the viewer's own mind. My goal is not just to present ideas but to encourage a process of introspection and questioning, allowing for deeper personal connections to the themes explored in the installation.

Veil of Darkness, Mixed technique on canvas, 46 x 38 cm, 2022 © Adonis Antoniou

Do you see your abstract paintings and conceptual installations as separate entities, or do they complement and inform each other in your exploration of themes like freedom and unity?

My abstract paintings and conceptual installations are not separate entities; rather, they exist in constant dialogue, complementing and informing each other in my exploration of themes such as freedom and unity. While they differ in medium and methodology, both serve as integral components of my artistic practice, each contributing to a broader discourse on perception, emotion, and societal structures.
In my paintings, I engage with abstraction as a means of liberation, using gestural expression, dynamic compositions, and layered techniques to evoke a sense of movement and emotional depth. These works are deeply intuitive, reflecting a personal exploration of balance, chaos, and harmony. They remain open to interpretation, allowing the viewer to engage with their own perceptions and internal narratives.
Conversely, my conceptual installations adopt a more structured and immersive approach. These works often address pressing sociopolitical themes, inviting the audience into a space of reflection and confrontation. While painting offers an introspective, sensory experience, installations create an environment where viewers are actively engaged, compelled to question, interact, and participate in a larger collective dialogue.
Despite their differences in execution, both disciplines inform one another. The sense of freedom I cultivate in painting influences the spatial and emotional dimensions of my installations, while the conceptual rigor of my installations deepens the narrative and structural complexity of my paintings. This interplay between abstraction and concept reinforces my broader artistic inquiry—one that seeks to bridge the personal and the collective, the intuitive and the intellectual, ultimately striving toward a deeper understanding of unity and human connection.

Abstract art is often considered open to interpretation. How do you balance your personal expression with the viewers' ability to form their own narratives from your work?

Abstract art exists in a space of freedom, where emotions, movement, and intuition take precedence over rigid forms and direct representation. In my paintings, I express my emotions, soul, and the way I see things at that exact moment. Each brushstroke captures a feeling, an energy that is deeply personal yet open to interpretation. When a viewer connects with my work and feels what I felt while creating it, that moment becomes the perfect dialogue between the artist and the audience.
This connection is similar to music—especially instrumental music without lyrics. A song can make one person dance while bringing another to tears. The absence of words allows for endless interpretations, just as non-figurative art does. My paintings function in the same way, offering space for the viewer to create their own messages based on what they see and feel.
Often, abstract figures emerge unintentionally within my work. These forms are not predetermined, but rather the result of spontaneous gestures and subconscious expression. Each viewer perceives them differently, projecting their own emotions and experiences onto the piece. This is where the true conversation happens—between the artwork and the viewer, in that intimate space of interpretation and emotional response.
In this way, my paintings serve as an open dialogue between the artist and the audience, where meaning is not imposed but discovered. By embracing abstraction, I invite viewers to engage with the work on a deeply personal level, allowing their own experiences and emotions to shape their interpretation. This exchange fosters a dynamic interaction, transforming the artwork into a shared space of reflection and connection.

In your statement, you mention envisioning a world free of divisions and prejudice. Do you believe art has the power to bring about social change? If so, how?

Art has long served as a catalyst for social change, capable of challenging perceptions, evoking deep emotional responses, and fostering critical dialogue. I firmly believe that art has the power to transcend divisions—cultural, political, and ideological—by offering a universal language that connects individuals beyond imposed barriers. Through both abstraction and conceptual installations, my work aims to encourage reflection, raise awareness, and create spaces for engagement with global issues such as borders, racism, and violence.
While art does not impose direct solutions, it has the ability to shift perspectives and awaken empathy. It allows individuals to step into different realities, question ingrained beliefs, and reconsider their roles within society. In my installations, I seek to create immersive experiences that confront viewers with themes of division and conflict, while my abstract paintings invite personal introspection, providing a space where meaning is fluid and open to interpretation.
Even if art alone cannot eliminate divisions and prejudice, it is essential to maintain hope in the possibility of a better world. At the end of every war, peace is the inevitable outcome—but the real question is, how long can it last? Days, months, years, or merely a few hours? History has demonstrated that while freedom is a powerful force, if placed in the wrong hands, it can lead to chaos rather than harmony. My homeland, Cyprus, is a testament to this reality: as soon as it gained independence, internal conflict emerged, proving that freedom itself is not enough—it must be safeguarded, nurtured, and guided with responsibility.
Art plays a crucial role in this process. It may not prevent conflict, but it can serve as a reminder, a warning, and an instrument for change. By creating work that sparks conversation and challenges the status quo, I aim to contribute to this ongoing dialogue, knowing that even the smallest shifts in perception can lead to broader transformations over time.

Cosmic Resonance, Mixed technique on canvas, 100 x 81 cm, 2023 © Adonis Antoniou

Eruption of Silence, Mixed technique on canvas, 46 x 38 cm, 2023 © Adonis Antoniou

As an artist who challenges perceptions and encourages self-reflection, what message or feeling do you hope viewers take away from your work?

As an artist, my goal is to create work that challenges perceptions, provokes thought, and fosters deep self-reflection. Rather than imposing a singular message, I strive to create spaces where viewers can engage with their own emotions, experiences, and interpretations. My work often explores themes of freedom, identity, and division—universal concepts that resonate differently depending on one's personal and cultural background.
Beyond mere observation, I want viewers to engage in a dialogue with my work—one that transcends my physical presence. Through abstraction and conceptual installations, I aim to create an exchange where the audience, consciously or unconsciously, interacts with my emotions. They may judge them, empathize with them, or confront their own perspectives in response. This silent yet profound conversation between artist and viewer is what I ultimately seek. At times, my work is meant to comfort, offering a sense of unity and connection.
At other times, it is meant to challenge and unsettle, as discomfort often leads to awareness—and awareness is the first step toward transformation. If my work can make someone pause, reflect, feel, and connect with their emotions in a new way or see the world from a different perspective, then it has fulfilled its purpose.

Lastly, how will your work evolve over the next few years? What projects or goals do you have?

Over the next few years, I envision my work evolving through a continued exploration of both material and conceptual dimensions. I aim to further push the boundaries of abstraction while integrating new techniques and mediums that deepen the immersive and emotional impact of my practice. My approach will continue to bridge painting, installation, and conceptual art, always with the intention of fostering critical engagement and introspection.
One of my key objectives is to create installations that emphasize light rather than darkness, offering viewers a sense of hope and the awareness that change is possible. As I have previously expressed, I believe in the power of art to awaken consciousness and reveal alternative perspectives. Through my work, I seek to instill a heightened awareness of possibilities for a better future. Similarly, in my paintings, I strive to evoke light and harmony—creating compositions that inspire a sense of balance and inner reflection.
In addition to visual art, I am increasingly incorporating music composition into my practice, expanding the sensory experience of my work. A major future project involves merging all the artistic disciplines I engage with—painting, installation, sound, and conceptual work—into a unified, multidimensional experience. Photography has also become an essential medium in my creative process, allowing me to "paint" with my camera by harnessing time and movement to capture abstract compositions of reality. Through this exploration, I aim to transform fleeting moments into visual narratives that challenge perception and redefine how we experience our surroundings.
Ultimately, my artistic journey is one of continuous evolution. By integrating multiple disciplines and refining my conceptual approach, I aspire to create work that not only provokes thought but also instills a profound sense of awareness, offering glimpses of both the world as it is and the world as it could be.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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