News from Civsy, based on human monitoring, generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data searchIn December 2025, Cypriot painter Giorgos (George) Gavriel opened an exhibition titled “Antisystemic Art” at the Blue Iris Gallery in Paphos. The show presented re‑interpretations of Christian religious icons, including Christ and the Virgin Mary, in sexually explicit and provocative ways as described in local coverage. One widely circulated image showed Christ with exposed genitals holding a Bible, which critics used as a key example of what they called “blasphemy.” The exhibition opened to the public but within days became the focus of intense criticism from church representatives and politicians.
Political and religious backlash
Senior figures from the centre‑right DISY party and the far‑right ELAM quickly moved the case into the political arena. DISY deputy president and MP Efthymios Diplaros posted online a collage of Gavriel’s works, describing them as blasphemous and arguing that freedom of expression could not be used as an excuse to insult the religious feelings of believers, according to press reports. ELAM sent formal letters to the Chief of Police and the Legal Service requesting that criminal provisions on insulting religion and offending religious feelings be applied to the artist. The spokesman of the Archbishop of Cyprus described the works as “toxic” and “not art,” while the Archbishop publicly stated that Cypriot society “does not tolerate” such depictions and said he did not coordinate with ELAM’s complaint.
Threats, disruption and cancellation
As the controversy escalated, an ELAM parliamentary candidate in Paphos posted a video attacking the exhibition that local media describe as widely shared on social media. The owner of the Blue Iris Gallery reported receiving death threats and warnings that the building would be attacked if the works remained on display. During the exhibition opening, three men entered the gallery and removed some of the paintings from the walls; police, who had already been alerted to tensions, intervened and the works were eventually re‑hung. Within days, the gallery announced that it was cancelling the exhibition. In its public statement, the gallery referred to “opposition from a part of society” and a wish not to offend religious feeling, while local reporting links the decision to direct threats and fear for the safety of the space. In interviews, Gavriel said that his use of religious symbols was meant to call for empathy towards migrants and LGBTQ+ people rather than to mock believers.
Attack on the artist’s home and official reactions
On 18 December 2025, an explosive device was thrown at Gavriel’s home in the Kokkinotrimithia area on the outskirts of Nicosia. Police and later Nicosia CID described the device as factory‑made firecrackers containing low‑explosive material. CCTV footage showed two individuals on a motorcycle approaching the property and hurling the device at the veranda area before fleeing. No one was injured, but the blast caused material damage. Police opened a criminal investigation, stated that they were treating intimidation as a likely motive, and announced that they were searching for two suspects. University academics and artistic groups in Cyprus issued statements condemning the attack and urging authorities to safeguard free expression and artistic freedom. Political reactions varied: smaller parties such as the Greens issued clear condemnations of the attack, while media commentary notes that some politicians who had previously labelled the works “blasphemous” did not publicly revisit their earlier statements after the incident, concentrating instead on criticism of the art.
References:
Cyprus Mail
“‘Intimidation and terrorism’ led to cancelled Gavriel exhibition” – coverage of the exhibition, backlash, and cancellation.[cyprus-mail]
“Explosive device detonates at artist Giorgos Gavriel's home” – initial report on the attack and police response.[cyprus-mail]
“Two suspects wanted in connection with the attack on artist Giorgos Gavriel” – follow‑up on the investigation and suspects.[cyprus-mail]
“Is this the most hated artist in Cyprus?” – profile and context around Gavriel and the controversy.[cyprus-mail]
“Religious symbols controversy prompts cancellation of Paphos exhibition” – additional reporting on the gallery’s decision and political reactions.[cyprus-mail]
Politis (English‑language)
“Death Threats Force Cancellation of George Gavriel's ‘Antisystemic Art’ Exhibition” – details on threats, ELAM complaint, and gallery cancellation.[en.politis.com]
“Art Exhibition Cancelled After Disy-Elam Row” – political dispute and party involvement.[en.politis.com]
“Police Amp Pressure Against George Gavriel as Legal Threats and Political Firestorm Intensify” (and related pieces) – legal and political follow‑up.politis+2
In‑Cyprus / Philenews
“Paphos art exhibition cancelled after parties lash out over religious imagery” – summary of cancellation and political backlash.[in-cyprus.philenews]
“Police probe intimidation motive in George Gavriel home firecracker attack” – details on the device, motive, and investigation.[in-cyprus.philenews]
“Explosive attack on Cyprus artist George Gavriel's home” – additional reporting on the incident.[in-cyprus.philenews]
“University academics condemn attack on artist Gavriel, defend free expression” – academic response.[in-cyprus.philenews]
“Protest planned outside Deputy Ministry of Culture after attack on George Gavriel” – protest and civil society reaction.[in-cyprus.philenews]
“Protesters rally for artistic freedom in Nicosia following attack on George Gavriel” – coverage of demonstrations.[in-cyprus.philenews]
“Turkish Cypriot Artists' Union condemns attack on Greek Cypriot artist George Gavriel” – artistic sector response.[in-cyprus.philenews]
Other media and commentary
OrthoChristian, “Blasphemous art display in Cyprus canceled after public outcry” – religious framing of the case.[orthochristian]
Orthodox/Christian and news portals summarising closure and reactions.spzh+1
Cyprus Mail and other Facebook/Instagram posts documenting the attack and cancellation, including photos and brief updates.instagram+3
Verfassungsblog, “God Save Freedom of Expression” – legal analysis situating the case within Article 10 ECHR.[verfassungsblog]
ECHR‑KS, “Article 10 – Artistic expression” – background on relevant Strasbourg case law.[ks.echr.coe]
