Iacovos Loizou

Iacovos Loizou is an artist and researcher from Nicosia, Cyprus, whose work explores urban life through playful, fresh perspectives. With a background in urban planning, he brings a unique lens to everyday spaces, often blending observation, humour, and storytelling. His practice includes comic-like figures, hand-drawn maps, and participatory installations that invite people to reimagine their surroundings with curiosity and joy. Iacovos is the co-founder of OPU Collective, a creative platform that activates public space through art, workshops, and walks. He has taken part in residencies across Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, and Cyprus, always seeking new ways to connect people with place. His work is rooted in an appreciation for the small and the strange — from street corners to pigeons — and reflects a light-hearted yet thoughtful approach to how we live, move, and share stories in the city.

“My work reflects a playful and slightly chaotic view of urban life, blending comic-like characters, absurd humour, and bold brushwork. Inspired by the everyday and the overlooked, I use storytelling and visual exaggeration to invite people to see their surroundings with curiosity and joy.”

6 questions with Iacovos Loizou

We ask our emerging artists 6 questions to uncover what drives their work, practice, and creativity.

What themes or questions do you find recurring in your work?

A lot of my work ends up being a kind of social commentary—sometimes playful, sometimes more reflective. Cats and penguins show up a lot, especially when I’m in a lighter mood—they help me tap into a sense of fun and cuteness. But I also paint from lived experiences, like being stuck in traffic, feeling powerless, or questioning whether I can actually make a difference. So it’s a mix: some works are soft and quirky, others come from frustration or the messiness of everyday life.

Can you describe a pivotal moment in your journey as an artist?

Taking part in artist residencies in the Netherlands, Cyprus, and Japan has really shaped my journey. Each one helped me grow in different ways, but if I had to pick one standout moment, it would be the one-month residency in Japan. Being there made me realise that my work actually has a place—it felt like it belonged in that context, especially compared to how it’s sometimes received in more traditional or Western contemporary art spaces. That feeling of “fitting in” was a big turning point for me.

What materials or processes are most important in your practice - and why?

Drawing is where I feel most comfortable and safe—it’s like my calm space. Music definitely helps set the mood, and so does the vibe in my studio. But the most important part of the process is just sitting with the piece. I spend a lot of time just looking at it, thinking, adjusting, and figuring out what it needs until it finally feels right. When it comes to materials, good brushes and high-quality paints or inks really make a difference—they can totally change how the work turns out.

How do you want people to feel when they experience your work?

What I really hope is that people take their time with my work—just like I do when I’m creating it. I want them to notice the little details, the layers. At least that is how I engage with other artists’ work. Emotionally, I want the paintings to feel a bit like a warm hug—cosy and comforting—but also leave them a little puzzled and curious, but at the same time a feeling that they’re not quite sure what they’re looking at. And hopefully, somewhere in all that, there’s a reminder that it’s okay to play, even as grown-ups.

What does a typical day in your studio look like?

My day usually kicks off with the gym at 07:30, followed by my little ritual of coffee, a shower, and breakfast at home. A few months ago, I’d squeeze in some PlayStation time after that (yep, still loving it at 32), but lately, that’s been swapped out for laptop work—less fun, more productive. I head to the studio around 11:00, preferably by bike, and break for lunch with my grandma at 13:00 since my studio’s right next to her place. Then it’s back to painting until about 17:00, when I head home to feed my cats and cook dinner. It’s a simple routine, but honestly, it makes me really happy.

What dreams or hopes do you have for your artistic journey?

One of my biggest dreams is to really establish myself as an artist in Japan and South Korea—two places I’ve visited multiple times, done residencies in, and where I’ll soon be part of my first group show. I’d love to have solo exhibitions there, build meaningful connections, and keep sharing my story and work in a place where it feels like it truly belongs.

Iacovos Loizou COLLECTION

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