The Art of Presence: Women in 2025 and the Power of Self-Expression

"article by Annita Apostolidou Platis"

The Challenge of Taking Up Space

For women in creative industries, taking up space—owning our ambition, demanding recognition, and embracing our artistic voice—has never been easy.From haute couture ateliers to art galleries, from jewelry design studios to curatorial spaces, women’s creativity has often encountered barriers.

Yet, creativity is power, and the ability to transform an idea into an artwork, a garment, or a story is one of the most profound forms of self-expression.

On this International Women’s Day, I reflect on what it means to be a woman in 2025—how far we have come and the work that remains in ensuring that our voices, art, and ambitions are not just heard but valued.

My Creative Journey: From Haute Couture to Fine Art

My artistic path has never been linear—it has been a constant evolution.

From a young age, fine art was my first language. Under the guidance of my first mentor, I developed a deep appreciation for form, color, and storytelling through painting. However, my artistic journey led me into the world of haute couture and jewelry design, where craftsmanship, movement, and material became my tools for expression. Fashion was never just clothing—it was sculpture, identity, and narrative.

Yet, creativity is limitless. I didn’t just return to fine art—I expanded my creative world. Transitioning from traditional painting to mixed media, I embraced new techniques, blending acrylics with digital collage, merging classical artistry with modern innovation. As a curator and exhibition essayist, I found a new dimension of storytelling, shaping artistic dialogues beyond my own work and amplifying the voices of other artists.

Each shift came with challenges—moments of doubt, questioning whether I needed to prove myself again. But I realized that creativity is expansion, not limitation.

Just as mythological women like Medusa and Hippolyta were once framed through a male lens—either as monstrous figures or unattainable ideals—modern women continue to challenge outdated narratives. We reclaim our stories, just as artists and writers have reclaimed these legends, revealing the depth, strength, and complexity that was always there.

Women in 2025: Moving Beyond Permission

In 2025, women no longer need permission to take up space. Yet, many of us still hesitate—we second-guess ourselves, we shrink, we hold back.

Society often labels female ambition differently. Where men are called visionary, women are sometimes labeled too much. Where men are praised for leadership, women are asked to be more approachable. These narratives are shifting, but not fast enough.

But here is what I have learned:

🔥 We do not need validation to pursue our ambitions.

🔥 Our creative voices matter—even when they challenge convention.

🔥 Taking up space is not about being loud; it is about standing in your power.

In my journey as a designer, artist, curator, and writer, I have learned that each transition, every obstacle, and every reinvention was a chapter of growth—not a setback.

Women in 2025 must own their space. Whether in boardrooms, galleries, or studios, our work deserves to be seen, valued, and celebrated on our own terms.

Creativity as Power: My Message to Women in 2025

For women stepping into creative fields today, my message is simple:

✨ Do not shrink yourself.

• Your artistic voice is valid. You do not need permission to create, speak, or share your vision.

• Your ambition is not a flaw. You are allowed to dream big, take up space, and challenge norms.

• Your journey is your own. Whether you stay in one field or transition like I did, evolution is part of growth.

Just as Hippolyta, the warrior queen of the Amazons, ruled with both wisdom and strength, proving that power and creativity are not mutually exclusive, modern women continue to redefine their artistic journey. Like Gaia, the great mother and foundation of life itself, women today shape worlds—not just through creation but through resilience, vision, and the ability to nurture transformation.

Art, in all its forms, is an act of resistance. When we create, we leave behind a mark that speaks louder than words. Through painting, sculpture, poetry, or design, we shape the world. Our work is a legacy.

International Women’s Day: A Reminder to Take Up Space

International Women’s Day reminds me that taking up space is not just about occupying a position—it is about owning our stories, our creativity, and our presence.

The past, present, and future are intertwined. Mythological women like Callisto, Persephone, Hippolyta, Amphitrite, Gaia, and Medusa have been reshaped across history, reflecting the changing perception of female power.

Likewise, as artists, curators, and visionaries, we redefine our creative identities—showing that women’s voices, whether in myth or modern art, are never silenced but continually reborn.

A Call to Action: Take Up Your Space

So, on this International Women’s Day, I ask:

💭 How do you define success on your own terms?💭 Where have you hesitated to take up space, and how can you reclaim it?💭 What message do you have for the next generation of women in creative industries?

Let’s continue shaping a future where women no longer have to ask to be seen—they lead, they create, and they define the world.

Annita Apostolidou Platis

Visual Artist | Painter | Exhibition Essayist | Curator | Fashion & Jewelry Designer | Interior Designer | Poet & Writer

🔗 Explore more of my work: www.annitaplatis.com

📍 #IWD2025 #WomenInArt #TakeUpSpace #CreativeVoices #ArtAndIdentity #TheFutureIsFemale #femaleartists

"Behind the Mask: What Carnival Teaches Us About Art and Identity"

"article by Annita Apostolidou Platis"

✒️ This article was originally published on my LinkedIn "Behind the Mask: What Carnival Teaches Us About Art and Identity" as part of a broader discussion on cultural celebrations and identity. I invite you to join the conversation there as well!

"Behind the Mask: What Carnival Teaches Us About Art and Identity"

While I have never experienced Carnival firsthand—partly due to my discomfort with large crowds and my unease with masks that conceal identity—I have long explored its artistic and cultural significance through literature, documentaries, and historical research. As an artist, I find the way different cultures approach Carnival to be a fascinating reflection of societal values, storytelling, and visual expression.

Venice Carnival: A Theatrical Masterpiece /Art & Identity

Among the many global celebrations, the Venice Carnival stands apart for its elegance, theatricality, and historical depth. Unlike the high-energy, immersive revelry of Brazilian or Caribbean Carnivals, Venice transforms its cityscape into a living stage, where masked figures glide through misty alleys, evoking the grandeur of bygone eras.

Venetian masks, such as the enigmatic bauta—characterized by its angular structure, allowing the wearer to speak and drink without removing it—and the classic volto, a smooth, featureless mask that fully conceals the face, symbolize more than just disguise. They represent transformation, power, and mystery—concepts deeply rooted in both Venetian history and artistic traditions.

The idea of playing a role, of momentarily becoming someone else, mirrors the way art allows us to explore different facets of the human experience.

The Duality of Masks: Art and Anonymity

Yet, my appreciation for the visual splendor of Carnival exists alongside a personal reservation—the idea of masks concealing true identity. Historically, they granted freedom of expression, but they also enabled deception. In a world where authenticity is increasingly valued, the symbolism of masks extends beyond the festival, touching upon themes of identity in daily life.

Perhaps this is where Carnival holds its greatest lesson. It invites us to question:

🔹 When do we wear masks in our daily lives?

🔹 Are they shields for self-preservation, or do they allow us to explore different facets of ourselves?

 🔹 Can the act of transformation through art and costume reveal something deeper about human nature?

Cultural Celebrations as a Window into Society

Every Carnival around the world is a mirror of its culture, revealing its people’s traditions, struggles, and aspirations. While I may not personally partake in these celebrations, I deeply appreciate their role as artistic and cultural expressions.

Whether through elaborate costumes, rhythmic processions, or symbolic rituals, they offer a unique lens into how societies communicate history, identity, and collective joy.

The Venice Carnival, in particular, resonates with me because of its theatrical essence and its ability to merge art, history, and mystery into a single experience. It is a celebration where fantasy and reality blur, reminding us that art—whether through fashion, performance, or visual storytelling—is a universal language that transcends time and geography.

What Do Celebrations Teach Us?

Carnival, in all its forms, is more than just an event—it is an evolving narrative, a communal act of storytelling. Even as an observer rather than a participant, I find inspiration in its ability to transform cities into immersive works of art.

Annita Apostolidou Platis Visual Artist | Painter | Exhibition Essayist | Curator | Fashion & Jewelry Designer | Interior Designer | Poet & Writer

🔗 Explore more of my work: Annita Apostolidou Platis | www.annitaplatis.com

#VeniceCarnival #CulturalCelebrations #ArtisticIdentity #StorytellingThroughArt #TheaterInArt #MythologyInArt

#VenetianMasksHistory #BautaMask #VoltoMask #CulturalIdentityInArt #StorytellingThroughMasks #FestivalsAsArtisticExpression #VeniceArtAndTradition #MasqueradeSymbolism #TransformationInCulture #TheatricalArtVenice #AnnitaApostolidouPlatisarticle