Anthony Anaxagorou

Anthony Anaxagorou
Anthony Anaxagorou 2010
Born	March 1983 (age 33) United Kingdom, London
Occupation	Poet, Writer, Educator
Nationality	British
Notable awards	Mayor of London's Poetry Slam 2002 Groucho Maverick Award 2015
Website
anthonyanaxagorou.com

Anthony Anaxagorou (born March 1983) is a British born poet and writer.^[1][2]

Anaxagorou was the first young poet to win the London Mayor's Poetry Slam with his poem "Anthropos" in 2002.^[3] Following this he made a number of television and radio appearances reading poetry including a live recital on BBC London Radio and a television interview followed by a recital with Vanessa Feltz on the Community Channel.

In 2003, he appeared alongside fellow poet Kate Tempest on Young Nation, presented by Richard Blackwood, where he performed a number of poems themed around social issues relating to young people. He went on to feature as a member of the panel on the talk show itself which focused on wider issues such as racism, history, religion, addiction and abuse, encouraging young people to speak out and voice their thoughts.^[4]

Early life

Anthony Anaxagorou is of Cypriot origin. His mother is from Nicosia and his father from Famagusta.^[5] He grew up between North and East London.

Career

Anaxagorou is the writer/poet in residence in several London schools where he devises programs to help engage students who are regularly underachieving due to low literacy rates. He is also the artistic director and founder of Out-Spoken, London's premier monthly night of poetry and live music. He is also the chief editor and founder of Out-Spoken Press which published his most popular collection A Difficult Place To Be Human. He works with the Poetry Society assisting in numerous creative writing projects and mentoring other young poets in developing their ideas and expressing themselves through a positive creative medium. He speaks extensively about the arts and elitism and how they impact the perception many people have of poetry.

In 2009 he published his first book Card Not Accepted, which stands as a collection of essays, short stories and poetry all reflecting moments from his life and an overall commentary of western living. Much of his work consists around the spiritual search for inner peace and the detachment from various societal ideals, however a huge section of his work encompasses themes that deal with politics, racism, history and philosophy. He writes from his own personal experiences in a style that is honest and compelling, this is what has so far won him the admiration and affection of many.

In May 2009 the poem "Himself" taken from the book Card Not Accepted, was chosen by MOBO award winning hip hop artist Akala to be read out on BBC Newsnight Review as part of the arts and poetry weekend.

In June 2010 he released his fourth publication. A digital ebook entitled The Lost Definition of Hope which featured a number of poems written over a space of four months. A portion of the books price was given to Médecins Sans Frontières, an independent organisation who deal with getting aid out to countries caught in heavy conflict.^[6]

In November 2010 he toured the UK supporting MOBO award-winning hip-hop artist Akala in his 'DoubleThink' tour. He performed poetry from all the major titles of his work in cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Exeter and Liverpool.

In July 2011 he wrote a piece called If I Told You which begins by questioning the validity and accuracy of historical documentation especially that regarding Africa. The poem then begins to explore current affairs, propaganda systems, the prison industry complex as well as the more existential issues such as ego, love, insecurity and hope. In the short space of a week the poem received over 2,000 views on YouTube as well as being featured at the British Urban Film Festival where it received a standing ovation. He has spoken about poetry at universities and colleges that include Oxford University, Nottingham University, Bradford University and Tower Hamlets College.

In April 2012 he performed at the Venezuelan Embassy alongside dub-poet Linton Kwesi Johnson as part of an event to mark the defeat of the US backed coup which aimed to assassinate President Hugo Chavez in 2002.

In 2014 he wrote theatre pieces for both The Bush Theatre and physical theatre company Tangled Feet. During this time he also released his debut collection of short stories 'The Blink That Killed The Eye' which was published by Jacaranda Books.

In 2014 Anaxagorou completed his first solo tour of Australia where he performed his poetry and ran workshops across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne with local writers and indigenous people.

His vast body of work won him the Groucho Maverick Award in 2015 which consisted of a £10,000 prize, a lifetime membership to the club and a Gavin Turk sculpture.

Collaborations

Anaxagorou has collaborated with a number of artists including singer/songwriter Josh Osho on a track called The Voice which was released by Universal Records in June 2012 on his debut album L.I.F.E. His poem Dialectics was also used by the Cirque du Soleil and The Nevada Ballet Theater in a dance piece choreographed by Mukhtar O.S Mukhtar entitled ARTist.

In July 2013 he wrote and performed the poetry for a piece of physical theatre produced by Tangled Feet entitled 'One Million'. It was part of the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival and held in Artillery Square in Woolwich for two nights.

Anaxagorou released a spoken-word in EP with classical composer Karim Kamar entitled It Will Come To You. The poems explore love, loss, racism, domestic violence, masculinity, adultery and imperialism.^[7]

Literary works

• Card Not Accepted – 2009^[8]
• Poems To Maya – 2009^[9]
• Pale Remembered with Rebecca Salter – 2009^[10]
• The Lost Definition of Hope – 2010^[11]
• Let This Be The Call – 2010^[12]
• Returning Stranger – 2010^[13]
• A Sad Dance – 2011^[14]
• A Difficult Place To Be Human – 2012^[15]
• The Blink That Killed The Eye - 2014^[16]
• It Will Come To You EP - 2013^[17]

References

External links

• Author's website
• "ANTHONY ANAXAGOROU INTERVIEW", The 405, October 02, 2009
• "Actor Damian Lewis reading Himself on BBC News Night Review"
• www.lawfulrebellion.org – If I Told You
• "London Real Interview"
• Being A Man panel discussion at BAM Festival Southbank"