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Emi Avora (1979) is a Greek born, UK trained (Oxford University and Royal Academy Schools) and Singapore based artist. She has exhibited in the UK and abroad. Solo projects include the National Theatre of Greece Athens, South Square Arts Centre, UK, The Apartment Gallery, Athens, Greenberg Van Doren Gallery, New York and Gallery Truebenbach, Cologne. She has participated in a number of group shows including Studio Voltaire, London, The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Athens, The Whitechapel Gallery, London and the Macedonian Museum of Contemporary Art, Thessaloniki. Her work can be found in private as well as public collections in Europe and the USA, including The Wonderful Fund collection and Marsh collection. She has also been an Elizabeth Greenshields recipient and her work has been in various publications including ArtMaze Magazine, the New York Times, Future Now, Aesthetica Magazine and Defining the Contemporary, The Whitechapel in Association with Sotheby’s. Her work was recently included in Be.Long.Ing, an online exhibition, organised by ilikeyourworkpodcast.com, as well as featured on online platforms http://yngspc.com and www.thegreekfoundation.com. She recently had an online exhibition a www.sidexsidecontemporary.com. She is one of the 2020 Delphian gallery open call group exhibition winners and her work will feature in the next publication of Friend of the Artist (FOA) and Create! magazine.
Published on May 25th, 2021. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
Its been a truly strange year and the pandemic has of course affected my work. Its been difficult not knowing when we can see family and when we will be able to travel again (there are a lot of restrictions on travel in Singapore still). That all puts our life in a limbo and it has in a way slowed down my art practice. However I have been fortunate compared to other people as we have not directly been really hit by the pandemic health wise or financially. So albeit restricted, life has in a way continued. As everything in life, this new normal has been filtering into my work somehow and I am curious to see how it will affect my work in the long term. I am in a way taking one day at a time and although in a way disappointed that this year has been slower than I anticipated, I am trying to continue regardless.
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
It was difficult to make work as I could not go to the studio and with the children homeschooling it was hard to even find the time to work from home. A couple of events that I was taking part in had to be postponed and it wasn't possible to meet up with other creatives. However I participated in some online Covid-19 related projects, like Covid_arts_project where I did an interview and I even had an online exhibition on sidexsidecontemporary.com . Also the work will be featured in some publications which is great. The #artistsupportpledge movement helped to sell some work as well. As we cannot travel it has been harder to expand my subject matter; I have however tried to focus on my surroundings and delved into reading to at least let my mind travel. The scale of my work had to be limited as I could only work on paper or small scale canvases at home. On another note my children got much more involved in my work as we together worked on a lot of kids art projects and they sometimes painted with me. It was refreshing to see them being part of what I do.
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
During the lock down I set up a little studio at home, got some materials and worked on paper- I focused on mainly gathering ideas rather than finished work. I did not have a lot of time to make work while home schooling but I did use the time doing a lot of art projects with the children and through that I discovered some new materials and techniques. Online platforms helped a lot to keep abreast with other artists and there's been all these new artist initiatives that happened during the lock down that helped to stay somehow connected during this isolating period. I also used some of the time to do admin stuff that is always overdue, like updating my website, organizing my painting lists, applying for some projects, sorting out my resources etc. And last but not least I did try to do some yoga or exercise every day which got me into a good habit and kept my spirits up.
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
Focusing on a task, each day at a time while having some larger goals is what I try to do to keep myself balanced and determined. Its not always easy and often the failure of achieving the larger goals throws me off balance. But its important to keep going. Having fun in the studio and enjoying the work, focusing on the practice is huge- if that doesn't happen then perhaps its time for a break. Looking at what is happening in the art world without getting overwhelmed. Its also difficult but necessary. While I find social media a huge resource and an amazing way to connect, it can be very time-consuming. Perhaps setting some time limits might help. Look after yourself by doing some nice things for you or/and the people around you. Your work absolutely needs you and if you make yourself ill by getting overtired, overwhelmed, depressed or overstressed then nobody will make it for you.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
Its remarkable how people adapt to new situations and during this crazy year it became clear to me that I can also adapt and work around things. This has been my second year in Asia after relocating with two small children. It has been important to carve out the time for my practice and use that time as well as possible. A year on, I feel that the work has blossomed since we first moved here. Despite the difficulties because of the pandemic, I feel much more confident about my practice and really keen to develop it further. I feel I have been finding my voice and I'd like to refine it and explore its capabilities. And I also hope that the enthusiasm continues and remains there. Despite this slow year which has impacted not only the artists but also the art institutions I feel hopeful for the things to come.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
Its been a truly strange year and the pandemic has of course affected my work. Its been difficult not knowing when we can see family and when we will be able to travel again (there are a lot of restrictions on travel in Singapore still). That all puts our life in a limbo and it has in a way slowed down my art practice. However I have been fortunate compared to other people as we have not directly been really hit by the pandemic health wise or financially. So albeit restricted, life has in a way continued. As everything in life, this new normal has been filtering into my work somehow and I am curious to see how it will affect my work in the long term. I am in a way taking one day at a time and although in a way disappointed that this year has been slower than I anticipated, I am trying to continue regardless.
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
It was difficult to make work as I could not go to the studio and with the children homeschooling it was hard to even find the time to work from home. A couple of events that I was taking part in had to be postponed and it wasn't possible to meet up with other creatives. However I participated in some online Covid-19 related projects, like Covid_arts_project where I did an interview and I even had an online exhibition on sidexsidecontemporary.com . Also the work will be featured in some publications which is great. The #artistsupportpledge movement helped to sell some work as well. As we cannot travel it has been harder to expand my subject matter; I have however tried to focus on my surroundings and delved into reading to at least let my mind travel. The scale of my work had to be limited as I could only work on paper or small scale canvases at home. On another note my children got much more involved in my work as we together worked on a lot of kids art projects and they sometimes painted with me. It was refreshing to see them being part of what I do.
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
During the lock down I set up a little studio at home, got some materials and worked on paper- I focused on mainly gathering ideas rather than finished work. I did not have a lot of time to make work while home schooling but I did use the time doing a lot of art projects with the children and through that I discovered some new materials and techniques. Online platforms helped a lot to keep abreast with other artists and there's been all these new artist initiatives that happened during the lock down that helped to stay somehow connected during this isolating period. I also used some of the time to do admin stuff that is always overdue, like updating my website, organizing my painting lists, applying for some projects, sorting out my resources etc. And last but not least I did try to do some yoga or exercise every day which got me into a good habit and kept my spirits up.
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
Focusing on a task, each day at a time while having some larger goals is what I try to do to keep myself balanced and determined. Its not always easy and often the failure of achieving the larger goals throws me off balance. But its important to keep going. Having fun in the studio and enjoying the work, focusing on the practice is huge- if that doesn't happen then perhaps its time for a break. Looking at what is happening in the art world without getting overwhelmed. Its also difficult but necessary. While I find social media a huge resource and an amazing way to connect, it can be very time-consuming. Perhaps setting some time limits might help. Look after yourself by doing some nice things for you or/and the people around you. Your work absolutely needs you and if you make yourself ill by getting overtired, overwhelmed, depressed or overstressed then nobody will make it for you.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
Its remarkable how people adapt to new situations and during this crazy year it became clear to me that I can also adapt and work around things. This has been my second year in Asia after relocating with two small children. It has been important to carve out the time for my practice and use that time as well as possible. A year on, I feel that the work has blossomed since we first moved here. Despite the difficulties because of the pandemic, I feel much more confident about my practice and really keen to develop it further. I feel I have been finding my voice and I'd like to refine it and explore its capabilities. And I also hope that the enthusiasm continues and remains there. Despite this slow year which has impacted not only the artists but also the art institutions I feel hopeful for the things to come.
Find Emi Avora find Instagram
