I am Vasileia Anaxagorou, an alumna of the American Academy Larnaca, having graduated in 2011. At present, I am a practicing artist based in Cyprus and a current Ph.D. candidate at the University of Cyprus, specialising in Gender Studies. My educational journey is a diverse one, beginning with degrees in Politics and History from the University of Nottingham in 2014 and Goldsmiths College, University of London in 2015.
Art has always held a special place in my heart, which led me to the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where I was admitted from 2015 to 2018. Afterward, I returned to Cyprus for a year, during which I established my studio in the heart of Larnaka. Education, for me, has been an ongoing journey, and in 2019, it brought me to the University of Oxford to pursue an MFA in Fine Art.
My studio has been my sanctuary for creative work from 2018 to the present, serving as a space for me to work, write, and create. Research and artistic practice are inseparable for me. Therefore, my Ph.D. research focuses on performance art and the subjectivities of female artists, specifically Lia Haraki and Arianna Economou. The context of this research is what makes it significant; it aims to introduce a new term, the ‘seascape of trauma in Cyprus,’ encompassing the island’s long history of division from antiquity to the present, both internal and external.
The way I write, research, and create art has never been separate entities. I have had four solo exhibitions in Cyprus, with most projects revolving around social commentary that reflects my personal experiences and the intricate world I navigate. My art practice is a realm where I can continually evolve and challenge everything I am and believe in, perpetually in flux.
To me, academia and art are intertwined. Consequently, from February 2023 to May 2023, I had the opportunity to teach Colour Theory and Practice in the Graphic Design Department at Minjiang University in China, in collaboration with the European University of Cyprus. Currently, I continue to teach at the European University of Cyprus and the English School in Nicosia.
I’m currently in the midst of my fourth year as a Ph.D. candidate, eagerly working toward the finish line, even though the journey often feels quite extensive. Recently, I opened my fourth solo exhibition, titled “The Dreamscapes of Innocence,” at Stand in Line Art Space in Nicosia. Additionally, there are numerous publications in the pipeline for 2024. Hence, my daily routine can be summarised as follows: I sleep, write, edit, and repeat.
I was at the academy from 2004-2011. For me, the AAL was much more than a high school education. It served as a place where I nurtured enduring relationships with teachers, bonds that I continue to hold dear. What truly distinguishes the AAL is that it doesn’t solely emphasise academic excellence; it also fosters a positive mindset. The teachers who guided me during my time there played a pivotal role in helping me understand the essence of life, moving beyond grades and academic achievements to comprehend the world in its entirety. In the grand scheme of things, adult life doesn’t truly measure academic excellence, but rather, it assesses who you are as an individual within society.
Unquestionably, the top-class show and the long discussions with my favorite English and History teachers!
In hindsight, I firmly believe that the American Academy Larnaca instilled in me a profound understanding of discipline and nurtured a daily reading habit, both of which have remained integral to my life. It stressed that research is an ongoing journey, not a one-time endeavor.
While I wasn’t particularly inclined towards sciences or mathematics, I discovered my true passions lay in history, art, and English. What truly led me to uncover these interests was the unwavering support and guidance of teachers who believed in me. Their influence has had a profound impact on my future and who I’ve become today. Without the support and positive encouragement I received in my school environment, I might have veered onto a path society expected, rather than pursuing my own dreams. I wholeheartedly believe that this speaks to the excellence of the American Academy in all its facets.
What truly sets AAL apart is its emphasis on interpersonal relationships and its dedication to equipping individuals for the world beyond its walls. If I were to distill it to its essence, my closest friends today are the same ones I met at the academy. It was precisely the activities that we were introduced to and the seven years of growing together with the same people that laid the foundation for the strength of our relationships today. Through these experiences, we learned how to respect each other, provide support, and collectively grow.
