Come by for a Cyprus Coffee: A New Artistic Exploration

Elena Varnava for ART.Cy

Elena Varnava for ART.Cy

Elena Varnava for ART.Cy

There’s something special about Cyprus coffee—its rich aroma, deep flavor, and cultural significance make it truly irreplaceable. For artist Elena Varnava, this daily ritual unexpectedly became the foundation of her latest series, Come by for a Cyprus Coffee (or Elena’s Coffeeblots).

One day, in a spontaneous moment, she poured the remaining coffee grounds from her cup onto an empty canvas. What emerged was an organic composition of movement, fluidity, and tonal depth—evoking the abstract beauty of Rorschach inkblots. This creative accident sparked an artistic journey that began in August 2024.

The biggest challenge? Preserving the delicate coffee residues on canvas, a material that naturally fades and deteriorates. Through experimentation and persistence, Elena discovered a way to fix the medium, ensuring that the coffee’s rich textures and hues remained intact.

This series captures not just the aesthetics of coffee but also its intimate connection to memory, ritual, and Cypriot culture. An invitation to pause, reflect, and share a moment over a cup—just like Cyprus coffee itself.