The rise and fall of the man who defined street art in Cyprus [PHOTOS]

When fate led him to Cyprus 22 years ago, he never imagined his presence would challenge a nation’s stance on graffiti and pave the way for a culture of acceptance, defining the trajectory of street art. Achilleas Michaelides, widely known as “paparazzi,” stands as the forefront figure in Cyprus’ street art scene. His creations have evolved into landmarks across all major cities, extending their reach to European streets. Refusing the accolade of being the best, he reflects, “If they tell you you are the top and you believe it, you have lost the game,” recounting his struggle with addiction and subsequent incarceration during his peak of fame. In conversation with Phileleftheros, ahead of his solo exhibition in Limassol, Michaelides delves into his impoverished upbringing in Georgia, his artistic origins in Thessaloniki, and his transformative journey in Cyprus that propelled him to fame. “I was born in 1982 in Tbilisi. When communism fell in 1991, my parents migrated to Greece for work, leaving me with my grandmother from ages 9 to 12. We resided in a Greek enclave, but soon, the neighbourhood emptied, leaving behind a sense of desolation. Poverty was rampant, and every school day was a challenge. Despite the...