Achilleas Michaelides, widely known by his artist name Paparazzi, is a leading figure in Cyprus’s street art scene. Born in 1982 in Tbilisi, Georgia, his artistic journey began early. He attended art school in Tbilisi in 1992 and later moved to Thessaloniki, Greece, where he developed his passion for graffiti. Since 2002, he has been based in Cyprus, where his work has helped shape the island’s contemporary urban art landscape.
Paparazzi’s practice spans painting, graffiti, murals, and street interventions. His style merges street art’s raw energy with the depth and precision of fine art. This fusion results in works that are both visually striking and intellectually layered. Each piece reflects his commitment to experimentation, cultural commentary, and a personal sense of play.
Throughout his career, Paparazzi has collaborated with internationally renowned street artists such as Bates, Tats Crew, Kacao77, and L7M. His commercial partnerships include major brands like Yamaha, Carlsberg, Baileys, Jameson, and Ballantine’s, demonstrating the broad appeal of his work across creative industries.
He has held five solo exhibitions and taken part in numerous group shows and street art festivals across Cyprus, Greece, the UK, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, France, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Georgia, Qatar, the UAE, and Bulgaria. His presence in both gallery spaces and urban environments reflects his ability to move fluidly between art worlds—bringing street art into conversation with more traditional contexts.
Paparazzi’s art challenges boundaries while honoring his roots in graffiti. Bold, colorful, and always evolving, his work continues to push the limits of what street art can be—transforming public space and redefining the role of the contemporary artist in society.