Anya Vero explores the blurred lines between art and anthropology, with a signature style of oil painted on silk stretched over asymmetrical canvases that play with explicit non-conformity. She draws on her anthropological research to explore the human condition through her paintings, with themes such as human trafficking, abuse, depression and oppression, but also sensuality, relationships and the human body. Her work often revolves around female empowerment, sexuality and being. Her work has been exhibited at various galleries including the TATE Modern Exchange in London and Museum LV in Riga.
A Ukrainian-Russian born in Latvia, she has a degree in Fine Art from the Ruskin School (Oxford University), Masters degrees in Anthropology from the London School of Economics and SOAS, and a Diploma from the University of the Arts London.
While in London she created Art for Freedom, a series focused on human trafficking, working in partnership with two Mexican organisations – SINTRATA and the Comisión Unidos Contra la Trata. She painted portraits from photographs of the survivors they work with, exhibiting them alongside their stories about their experiences. The collection was showcased at a multidisciplinary event at Carousel Gallery in London Mayfair, with talks by a leading Human Rights barrister, the international anti-slavery charity A21 and bespoke creations by a perfumer and a songwriter.
In London she also took part in the Self Impressions Tate Exchange event at the Tate Modern, organised by the Institute of Philosophy, University of London, exploring different elements of identity alongside a line-up of leading philosophers and neuroscientists.
Her latest collection celebrates Women Groundbreakers, through 33 paintings in oil on silk, unveiled at a special event in Vienna at Area 1070 Gallery on International Women’s Day alongside performances and mini-lectures about the lives and achievements of these groundbreaking women.
