Frangoulides Solomos (1902 - 1981) Painter and Hagiographer

He belongs to that first generation of Cypriot artists who were associated with thematic landscape and people of their land and gave them to realistically mostly visual vocabularies, but with an unparalleled quality painting.

Born in Pano Zodia in 1902 and died in 1981. Took his first lessons in painting from Russian artist Ilia Karisiev. Karisiev studied art at the School of Fine Arts in Paris.  In 1924 Frangoulidis went and entered the School of Fine Arts (1924-1930) of Athens with teachers Iakovidi C., N. Ransom, Vikatos, G. and P. Roilos Mathiopoulos.  He remained in Athens until 1932. He returned to Cyprus for two years for the illustration of Agros Church (1932-1934) and in 1934 he returned to Athens, where he worked as a designer.  From 1947 until his death in 1981, lived in Cyprus.

He dealt with a italovyzantino type hagiography and painted icons for various churches in Cyprus.  He also wrote art reviews in newspapers and magazines. Since 1936, he exhibited his work in solo exhibitions (1936, Athens, Parnassus, 1953, Famagusta, Hotel Constantia, 1966, Nicosia, Spiritual House, 1972, London, Hotel Cumberland, 1974, Nicosia, Argo Gallery, 1976, Athens, Watchtower Gallery, 1977, Nicosia, Libra Gallery, 1986 Nicosia, Gloria Gallery, posthumous retrospective exhibition). He has also participated in many group exhibitions (1932, Cyprus Fair, 1933, 1940, 1941, National Report, 1960s, Platres, "The Golden Nightingale", 1961, Paris, Salon d 'Art moderne, 1970, London, Edinburgh, Commonwealth Institute , "Report Cypriot Art» 1972, Foggia, Italy, Bienale d 'Arte Sacra).

In Cyprus, his works are exhibited at the State Gallery of Contemporary Cypriot Art, the Municipal Gallery Famagusta, the Embassy in Nicosia.  In Greece: Ministry of Culture, City of Missolonghi.  In Russia, Moscow, Pushkin Museum.  Also in private collections in Cyprus and abroad.  Personal collection of works left by will to the Greek State.

He has won the Silver medal award in Bienale d 'Arte Sacra in Foggia, Italy, 1972.