Helen Anvor was born on the Polar circle, which is symptomatic of her geographically rich biography. Her relationship to space is very specific and welcoming at the same time. This is the reason why she formulates one of her main themes as the constant search for the lost home. She is currently based in Yaroslavl, but she has formerly worked and lived in Moscow, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. Even though it was due to the coronavirus crisis that she had to stay in Yaroslavl for longer than expected, she has used this as an opportunity to engage with the community and create new meaningful spaces in this small Russian town. Some of her community-oriented urban art projects include: “Trefoleva 12” and a collaboration with a local textile factory.
Anvor’s education and work experience are very diverse, and she uses all aspects of her unique experience in her art. For instance, her first bachelor’s degree is in psychiatry. To this day, it shapes the way she thinks and talks about her art, as she constructs a psychological portrait of her viewers, detects their needs and tries to serve them. More specifically, many of her works are created specifically for people with PTSD. Anvor received her main artistic education from the legendary MArchI in Moscow. She also studied and worked as a candy maker, which led to the incorporation of gingerbread houses into her artistic practice.
Anvor’s works are currently on view in one of the most prestigious spaces in Moscow – CUBE. Moscow, just a step away from the Kremlin. Her other works are part of the permanent exposition at Unil in Switzerland and are held in private collections in Switzerland, Russia, United Kingdom, USA, Korea, and Germany.
