ANNA KIPARIS
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the crypt gallery
July 2025
A Time to Gather Stones
A duo exhibition by artists Anna Kiparis and Anastasiia Aleksandrenko, exploring time and the treasured stories we gather like gemstones and preserve in the vaults of memory
The Crypt is transformed into a space of unique paintings and objects crafted from precious stones and metals, artworks born from canonical imagery and familiar narratives, reimagined by artists

The exhibits unfold in a carefully curated sequence, each accompanied by its own story, weaving together a living chronology of the shared narrative
The Crypt is transformed into a space of unique paintings and objects crafted from precious stones and metals, artworks born from canonical imagery and familiar narratives, reimagined by artists
Drawing inspiration from the words of Ecclesiastes, “a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather them”, the artists invite the viewer into a moment of gathering: of stones, of meaning, of lost treasures of faith and freedom.
The exhibits unfold in a carefully curated sequence, each accompanied by its own story, weaving together a living chronology of the shared narrative
Mother and Child
Oil on canvas, 120 x 90 cm
The captions to the artworks contain a quotation from the Bible and offer an interpretation that resonates with today’s understanding of the world

“To you is born this day a Saviour.”
Luke 2:11

The miracle arrives,

not as thunder, but as a child.

And yet, after so much waiting,

we may not know how to receive it.

We doubt, we hesitate, we look away.

The gift is real, but it asks for readiness.

Love comes gently, and we must be strong enough to trust it.

The miracle does not demand belief,

but it hopes to be welcomed.




The captions to the artworks contain a quotation from the Bible and offer an interpretation that resonates with today’s understanding of the world
Curator Anastasiiya Garnova sat down with artists Anna Kiparis and Anastasiia Alexandrenko to speak about time, place, and the chain of events that brought them together for their collaborative project A Time to Gather Stones.

“Right now, it feels like fate is leading the way, there’s a sense of surrender, emotions are heightened, and intuition spins and sings like a music box.”
“Meeting Anastasiia felt like a dream,” says Anna.
“I just knew I needed her for this project, and I reached out immediately. I was so lucky, she instantly offered a wonderful idea for an object that we’re now creating together. It will be the centrepiece of the exhibition, but for now, it’s a secret!”

“I had just received a grant, and it was as if the floodgates opened,” adds Anastasiiya. “I had several new projects in mind, and Anna appeared at exactly the right time. I think we were fortunate, the gallery responded right away, almost as if it had been made for us. And so it began! We met deep in one of London’s magical parks at a secret café, and the whole idea took shape. The very next day, I delivered the prototype to the casting studio.”
The sculpture The Cow on Balcony, crafted as a music box from silver and brass, has become the centerpiece of a collaboration between two artists. It is inspired by Gabriel García Márquez’s Autumn of the Patriarch, a story about a dictator so feared that even after his death, people are afraid to enter the palace to see for themselves. Only when a living cow appears on the palace balcony do they realize that no one remains inside. This sculpture depicts the cow on the balcony as a symbol of peace, hope, and freedom from dictatorship.
The exhibition received a strong response and engagement from the art community, was extended, and remains a collaborative project by artists Anna Kiparis and Anastasiia Aleksandenko, promising further developments. If you would like to support the artists and the project, please follow us at the bottom of the page.

Exhibition posters and supporting materials:

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The Crypt Gallery Director: Anne Noble-Partridge
Exhibition Curator: Anastasiia Garnova

Artists:
Anna Kiparis
Anastasiia Aleksandrenko

Portrait/Photo: Marusia Makhmutova
Technical support: Max Barnash
Stage photographer: Elena Dildina
Light artist: Vadym Yatsun

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