In the realm of art, where creativity knows no bounds and imagination reigns supreme, we find Angelika Anastasis, a visionary artist whose work transcends the conventional. Her canvas is a portal to the uncharted territories of the human psyche, a place where the essence of womanhood takes centre stage.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into the depths of Angelika’s artistic journey, exploring the inspirations, mediums, and processes that define her unique style
With a passion for unveiling the hidden aspects of femininity and challenging societal norms, Angelika Anastasis invites us to join her on a mesmerising odyssey through the world of art and introspection.
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into art!
We are all artists in the way in which we view the world, expressing that in the way we dress, engage others and how we live. Artists are driven to make these projections clear, through other mediums, canvas, sculpture etc, and they feel compelled to share the expression over and over again. I’ve seen the images in my head of these magical women for as long as I can remember; there is something ethereal in their nature. I wanted to share those images on canvas. I started doodling incessantly as a child and was lucky enough to have an eccentric art teacher at school who fostered my love of art but also helped me with expression.
How would you describe the art you love creating?
My art is an expression of the intuitive self, the inner self. It explores the aspects of women, not just the aesthetic but the hidden aspects, the way someone makes you feel, it represents the power of a woman. A woman holding her head high, coming into herself; the depictions are strong, they sit well on walls of those that are comfortable in their own skin.
What influences your artistic vision and style?
Current trends, the #metoo movement, the call for women to break out of societal norms and stereotypes of what is considered beautiful. I love words as I am a writer; they will be featuring more in my works.
Are there any present-day artists whose creations resonate with you and that you find particularly compelling?
I love the work of Manolo Valdes, a Spanish artist who uses humor and irony in his work, working in sculpture and mixed media. Recently, I have taken to the art of Susan Washington; I love her mixed media, her words, and her abstract work.
Among the various materials you engage with, which one do you find the most fulfilling to work with, and what draws you to it?
I move from one medium to another, sticking with one until I get it out of my system. I love painting, using both acrylic and oil paints as well as using pastels. Clay is one of my favourite mediums; I love moulding an expression through clay, making the representation 3D.
Can you walk us through your artistic process, starting from the initial spark of an idea to the actualisation of the finished artwork?
I start to draw almost a little compulsively, and I continue to extract from the compulsion, cutting out the picture and placing it on different surfaces, making it bigger or smaller, seeing what works, and then drawing it in a very raw way onto canvas. Sometimes I just paint straight onto the canvas and see what happens intuitively, which adds to the abstraction of the portrait. I work on the piece for a week or two and then start something else, contemplating the original piece all the while until I get the compulsion to go and finish it, which sometimes takes months, of her just sitting and watching me work on the other projects.
Could you share some insights into your current creative endeavours and projects?
Yes, I am currently working on pieces exploring the female form, and I am looking at the way women distort their faces and bodies to fit into societal norms. I am using perspex as well in my work now as I like the transparency of it.
