Artist Spotlight - Brainfkr
Anna Miltiadou (b.1990) was born in Nicosia, Cyprus and studied Graphic and Advertising Design at Frederick University. She later on obtained her MA in illustration at Nottingham Trent University. Her social media account BrainFKR started in 2012 and her work focuses in pop culture, inspired by her everyday surroundings and her life in Cyprus. Currently, she is also working as an Art Director at Partners VMLY&R, one of the leading advertising agencies in the country.
What’s your background? I have a BA in Graphic & Advertising Design from Frederick University Cyprus and an MA in Illustration from Nottingham Trent University.
What does art mean to you? It’s as important as talking. I might do less talking and more drawing to be honest, it’s a way to express my thoughts, moods and feelings.
How did you start making art/Why do you make art? By drawing on the walls of my house, as every respectful 4 year old self proclaimed artist. I make art to keep sane. It’s my own way of psychoanalysis, to maintain my balance. What inspires you? What are your biggest influences? Everyday life inspires me, the hours that I spent at work (I work at an Advertising Agency), the hours that I spent scrolling through the internet and the hours I spent drinking and eating with my friends. My influences are other fellow illustrators from Instagram. Instagram has a wide range of artists, small and big, and it’s a great gateway to explore new artists. Some of my favorite artists are: Laura Callaghan, Jamie Hewlett, Alex Gamsu Jenkins and Stacey Rozich to name a few.
What’s the best thing about being an artist? Being able to create whatever I can imagine. With illustration especially I feel that I can be as free as I want to be. I don’t strive to follow the rules of traditional art and that gives me the freedom to express myself without inhibitions.
What gives you the most joy? Food. Food makes me very happy. On a more serious note, when I have balance in my life. And by balance I mean between work and my personal life. Because that means that I have the time (and money) to do the things I want, be that drawing or travelling.
Considering the magnitude of COVID-19 pandemic, what do you think is the impact on the art world and how could we overcome it? I am not here to tell you how to overcome a pandemic but I know one thing for sure, it’s always darkest before the dawn. With that said, I know that peoples’ main priority now are basic needs, but it’s in times like these that artists have a chance to thrive and with them their art. So cheers to a better tomorrow (insert beer clinging emoji).
You can find some of her work exclusively on our art shop!