Marina Rafael
Coming Soon
About Me
I was born and raised in Cyprus, where I developed an early and enduring passion for both the visual arts and education. I initially pursued studies in Public Relations in Athens, earning my first degree before continuing my academic path in Primary Education at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
My interest in the relationship between art and pedagogy led me to postgraduate studies in Art Teaching at the University of Roehampton in Surrey, London, and later to Fine Arts studies at Central Saint Martins in London.
With more than 30 years of experience in primary education, I have dedicated my career to teaching art to children aged 6–12, nurturing creativity, imagination, and individual expression. My pedagogical journey has profoundly shaped my artistic voice, fostering a deep sensitivity to the authenticity and emotional world of childhood—an element that remains central to my work and has greatly influenced my practice as a children’s book illustrator.
Alongside my teaching career, I have maintained a distinguished presence as a professional painter for over 38 years. My work has been presented in nine solo exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions both locally and internationally, earning recognition and critical acclaim. I have received several international awards and distinctions for artistic excellence, including the prestigious “Leonardo da Vinci,” “Michelangelo,” and “Pegasus” international prizes, affirming my position within the contemporary art landscape.
My multidisciplinary practice also extends into large-scale mural work. With more than 20 years of experience and over 80 completed mural projects, I seek to transform spaces into immersive visual narratives that
engage and inspire diverse audiences.
Over the past eight years, I have been actively working as an illustrator of children’s books—one of my deepest
creative passions. I have collaborated with publishing houses and authors to bring stories to life through imagery that blends narrative clarity, emotional depth, and imaginative richness. To date, I have illustrated
more than 40 children’s books.
My illustrative work is distinguished by its strong storytelling quality, expressive characterisation, and sensitivity to the emotional world of the child.
In recent years, I have expanded my creative practice into writing, developing original children’s stories
and fairy tales that are currently in progress and forthcoming for publication
Exhibition Participation
Group Exhibitions
- 1995 – Amateur Artists, Limassol, Cooperative Savings Bank
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1996 – Amateur Artist, Limassol
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1997 – Amateur Artist, Limassol
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1998 – Amateur Artist, Limassol
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2005 – Group Exhibition, Roehampton University, Surrey, London
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2014 – Art Without Borders, Nicosia, Famagusta Gate
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2015 – Art Without Borders, Limassol, Tracasol Cultural Centre
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2018 – Dubai World Art Fair, World Trade Center, Dubai
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2018 – Tatinis Art Fair, Singapore, FPIT Building, Singapore
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2018 – INDEX Exhibition, Dubai
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2018 – Florence Biennale, Florence, Italy
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2018 – Carrousel du Louvre Art Exhibition, Paris
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2019 – International Women’s Day Exhibition, One&Only Hotel, Dubai
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2019 – INDEX Hotel Show, Dubai
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2019 – Dali Mustache International Art Competition
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2020 – Art Connect Women, 2nd Edition, Dubai
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2021 – Art Connect Women, 3rd Edition, Dubai
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2022 – Small is Beautiful, Alliance Française, Art Competition, Dubai
- 2022 – Art Connect Women, 4th Edition, Dubai
Solo Exhibitions
- 2007 – Exposed, Gallery Technis Dromena, Nicosia
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2007 – Exposed, Carob Mill Exhibition Hall, Limassol
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2008 – Jewel of Light, Gallery Techni Dihos Synora (Art Without Borders), Nicosia & Carob Mill Exhibition Hall, Limassol
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2009 – Fairytale, Art Studio Exhibition Center “Studio Octo”, Limassol
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2010 – Sweet Paintings, Art Studio Exhibition Center “Studio Octo”, Limassol
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2012 & 2013 – Christmas Is Here, Artima Lounge Restaurant, Limassol
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2015 – Marina Rafael, Benzai Art Gallery, Limassol
- 2016 – Romantic, St. Raphael Hotel, Spa & Resort, Limassol
Awards & Distinctions
Recipient of the International Prize “Artist in Art History”
2026, Florence - Italy
Marina Rafael was awarded the International Award Leonardo Da Vinci for her artistic contributions. This recognition highlights her significant impact in the field of art and her commitment to excellence in creativity and expression.
Awarded the International Prize “Velázquez and Goya”,
2024, Barcelona, Spain.
"Leonardo Da Vinci" International Artistic Action Award
2023, Milan-Italy
Marina Rafael was awarded the International Award Leonardo Da Vinci for her artistic contributions. This recognition highlights her significant impact in the field of art and her commitment to excellence in creativity and expression.
International Prize Michelangelo "The genius of Italy"
2023, Rome
Marina Rafael was nominated for International Prize Michelangelo-the genius of Italy in Rome,Italy.
"Pegasus" International Artistic Award
2023, Venice-Italy
Marina Rafael received a nomination for the Pegasus International Award in Venice, Italy.
Ypsona Women's Association(Υ.W.A) Award
2023, Cyprus
The Ypsonas Women΄s Association (Υ.W.A), under the auspices of the Speaker of the Parliament Mrs. Annita Dimitriou, celebrated Mother's Day together with International Women's Day on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at the Ypsonas Municipal Theater and awarded Marina Raphael as female educator/artist.
Dali Moustache International Award
2020, Spain
Marina Rafael has been honored with the Dali Moustache International Award in Spain for her painting, The Lady with the Blue Scarf.
First Prize
2021, Cyprus
Marina Rafael was awarded with the first prize with her artwork "The rainbow elephants". Among many artists participants Rafael Marina was being selected as the winner of the competition "Enrichment of Public Buildings with installations". Her artwork "The rainbow elephants" are installed and exposed at the Public Kindergarten of Mesa Geitonia, Limassol.
Public Art & Mural Projects
Some of the distinctions I am honoured to have received include the “Art Connects Women Award” (2019–2022), the “Dali Moustache Award” in Spain (2020), the first prize for my public installation “Elephants of the Rainbow” in Limassol (2021), the “Leonardo da Vinci Prize” in Milan (2023), the “Pegasus Award” in Venice (2023), the “Michelangelo International Prize” in Rome (2023), the “Protagonists of Art” distinction in Washington (2024), and the “Velázquez & Goya International Prize” in Barcelona (2024). In 2024, I also returned to Dubai for the World Art Fair, receiving excellent reviews and invitations to exhibit at art events in Moscow, Paris and Singapore.
My artworks are part of private collections in Cyprus, Greece, the UK, Lebanon, Dubai, Austria, Germany, the USA, South Africa, France and India.
Public Art & Mural Projects
A significant part of my work is dedicated to creating large-scale murals for public spaces, hospitals, charities and children’s foundations—projects that I hold very close to my heart. Among them:
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Murals for the pediatric floors of the public hospitals in Paphos and Larnaca (donation)
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Large-scale murals for the pediatric floor of Polyclinic Ygia, Limassol (donation)
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Complete mural and painting work for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Nicosia (donation)
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Collaboration with international artists in Dubai for children with special needs (“Little Picasso”)
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A 350 sq. meter mural installation at Makarios Hospital, Pediatric Oncology Unit, Nicosia
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Murals for the new Neurodevelopmental Difficulties Center at Makarios Hospital (donation)
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Wall and ceiling murals for the SKE Community Volunteer Council, Ayios Athanasios
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Restoration of an old church at Park Lane Hotel & Resort, Limassol
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Murals and paintings for St. Raphael Hotel & Resort, Limassol
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Murals for ALMA Foundation for children with special needs (donation)
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Murals and paintings for Theotokos Foundation, Limassol (donation)
Illustration & Publications
For the last decade, I have been illustrating children’s books and fairy tales. My first published story, Riris the Little Flamingo, a bilingual children’s book, was created in collaboration with the Akrotiri English Base. I continue to work on new fairy tales and illustration projects that bring imagination and colour to children's worlds.
Artistic Vision
Today, my artistic intention is to inspire people—especially those facing health challenges—to keep moving forward and never stop dreaming. Every day brings a new opportunity for hope, colour and transformation. Through my paintings, murals and illustrations, I invite viewers to travel, dream, and reconnect with their inner child.
Endless Possibilities
The beauty of creativity is that there's no limit to what you can create. All you need to get started is just a bit of passion and resourcefulness.
Public Art & Mural Projects
Some of the distinctions I am honoured to have received include the “Art Connects Women Award” (2019–2022), the “Dali Moustache Award” in Spain (2020), the first prize for my public installation “Elephants of the Rainbow” in Limassol (2021), the “Leonardo da Vinci Prize” in Milan (2023), the “Pegasus Award” in Venice (2023), the “Michelangelo International Prize” in Rome (2023), the “Protagonists of Art” distinction in Washington (2024), and the “Velázquez & Goya International Prize” in Barcelona (2024). In 2024, I also returned to Dubai for the World Art Fair, receiving excellent reviews and invitations to exhibit at art events in Moscow, Paris and Singapore.
My artworks are part of private collections in Cyprus, Greece, the UK, Lebanon, Dubai, Austria, Germany, the USA, South Africa, France and India.
Public Art & Mural Projects
A significant part of my work is dedicated to creating large-scale murals for public spaces, hospitals, charities and children’s foundations—projects that I hold very close to my heart. Among them:
-
Murals for the pediatric floors of the public hospitals in Paphos and Larnaca (donation)
-
Large-scale murals for the pediatric floor of Polyclinic Ygia, Limassol (donation)
-
Complete mural and painting work for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Nicosia (donation)
-
Collaboration with international artists in Dubai for children with special needs (“Little Picasso”)
-
A 350 sq. meter mural installation at Makarios Hospital, Pediatric Oncology Unit, Nicosia
-
Murals for the new Neurodevelopmental Difficulties Center at Makarios Hospital (donation)
-
Wall and ceiling murals for the SKE Community Volunteer Council, Ayios Athanasios
-
Restoration of an old church at Park Lane Hotel & Resort, Limassol
-
Murals and paintings for St. Raphael Hotel & Resort, Limassol
-
Murals for ALMA Foundation for children with special needs (donation)
-
Murals and paintings for Theotokos Foundation, Limassol (donation)
Illustration & Publications
For the last decade, I have been illustrating children’s books and fairy tales. My first published story, Riris the Little Flamingo, a bilingual children’s book, was created in collaboration with the Akrotiri English Base. I continue to work on new fairy tales and illustration projects that bring imagination and colour to children's worlds.
Artistic Vision
Today, my artistic intention is to inspire people—especially those facing health challenges—to keep moving forward and never stop dreaming. Every day brings a new opportunity for hope, colour and transformation. Through my paintings, murals and illustrations, I invite viewers to travel, dream, and reconnect with their inner child.
ABOUT ME
Hello, I am Marina Rafael. A painter, illustrator, and art educator based in Limassol, Cyprus.
My artistic journey began as a self-taught painter, before pursuing studies in Education at the Aristotelion University in Greece, completing an MA in Art & Craft in Education in London, and later studying Fine Art at Central Saint Martins, London. I also expanded my practice through specialised courses in glassblowing at Sunderland University and in Cathedral Stained Glass painting in Surrey, UK.
Throughout my artistic career, which spans more than thirty-five years, I have held nine solo exhibitions and participated in numerous international art fairs and group exhibitions. These include the World Art Fair in Dubai, the Tatinis Art Fair in Singapore, the Index Hotel Show in Dubai, the Luxembourg Art Prize, and multiple editions of Art Connects Women. My work has received international recognition and awards from Italy, Spain, the UAE, the USA, and more.
Public Art & Mural Projects
Some of the distinctions I am honoured to have received include the “Art Connects Women Award” (2019–2022), the “Dali Moustache Award” in Spain (2020), the first prize for my public installation “Elephants of the Rainbow” in Limassol (2021), the “Leonardo da Vinci Prize” in Milan (2023), the “Pegasus Award” in Venice (2023), the “Michelangelo International Prize” in Rome (2023), the “Protagonists of Art” distinction in Washington (2024), and the “Velázquez & Goya International Prize” in Barcelona (2024). In 2024, I also returned to Dubai for the World Art Fair, receiving excellent reviews and invitations to exhibit at art events in Moscow, Paris and Singapore.
My artworks are part of private collections in Cyprus, Greece, the UK, Lebanon, Dubai, Austria, Germany, the USA, South Africa, France and India.
Public Art & Mural Projects
A significant part of my work is dedicated to creating large-scale murals for public spaces, hospitals, charities and children’s foundations—projects that I hold very close to my heart. Among them:
-
Murals for the pediatric floors of the public hospitals in Paphos and Larnaca (donation)
-
Large-scale murals for the pediatric floor of Polyclinic Ygia, Limassol (donation)
-
Complete mural and painting work for the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Nicosia (donation)
-
Collaboration with international artists in Dubai for children with special needs (“Little Picasso”)
-
A 350 sq. meter mural installation at Makarios Hospital, Pediatric Oncology Unit, Nicosia
-
Murals for the new Neurodevelopmental Difficulties Center at Makarios Hospital (donation)
-
Wall and ceiling murals for the SKE Community Volunteer Council, Ayios Athanasios
-
Restoration of an old church at Park Lane Hotel & Resort, Limassol
-
Murals and paintings for St. Raphael Hotel & Resort, Limassol
-
Murals for ALMA Foundation for children with special needs (donation)
-
Murals and paintings for Theotokos Foundation, Limassol (donation)
Illustration & Publications
For the last decade, I have been illustrating children’s books and fairy tales. My first published story, Riris the Little Flamingo, a bilingual children’s book, was created in collaboration with the Akrotiri English Base. I continue to work on new fairy tales and illustration projects that bring imagination and colour to children's worlds.
Artistic Vision
Today, my artistic intention is to inspire people—especially those facing health challenges—to keep moving forward and never stop dreaming. Every day brings a new opportunity for hope, colour and transformation. Through my paintings, murals and illustrations, I invite viewers to travel, dream, and reconnect with their inner child.
