For visual artist Anne Wiziack, Liverpool was not just a place to settle after moving from Brazil in 2019 — it became the city where she finally allowed herself to exist fully as an artist.
Born and raised in Brazil, Anne always knew she was an artist. Yet, like many creatives in countries facing economic instability, she was unable to see a sustainable future in the arts. “I was born as an artist,” she says, “but I couldn’t imagine a life where art could truly support me.” That changed when she arrived in Liverpool.
“I like to say that I was reborn in Liverpool,” Anne reflects. “It allowed me to be who I truly am. When I first arrived, I felt a connection I couldn’t explain. Only later I understood it was the artistic energy of the city — Liverpool lives and breathes art.”
Liverpool’s long-standing identity as a cultural powerhouse played a defining role in that transformation. With centuries of artistic heritage — from music and theatre to visual arts and literature — the city has long been a home for creative expression. Landmarks such as The Bluecoat, the oldest building in the city and the UK’s first arts centre, stand as reminders that art in Liverpool is not an accessory, but a foundation.
In 2021, Anne became a member of dot-art, one of Liverpool’s most respected galleries and artist support organisations. Through dot-art’s mentorship, exhibition opportunities and community, Anne began to build confidence in her practice, exhibit her work publicly, and take her first steps into teaching art — something she had never imagined possible before moving to the UK.
“We are incredibly proud to have supported Anne on her journey,” says Lucy Byrne managing director at dot-art. “Her story reflects what we strive to do at dot-art — to nurture artists, help them build confidence, and create opportunities for sustainable creative careers. Anne is one of many artists who have flourished through Liverpool’s supportive arts ecosystem.”
Last year marked a major milestone in Anne’s career: her first solo exhibition, held at the Everyman Theatre in partnership with dot-art.The exhibition centred on Anne’s Brazilian heritage and the sense of renewal she found in Liverpool.
Anne’s work is distinctive not only in subject matter but also in process. Using natural inks derived from plants and organic materials, she creates paintings that highlight landmarks such as the Royal Liver Building, reimagined through a sustainable and environmentally conscious lens. Sustainability is a central message in her practice, reflecting both her respect for nature and her belief that art can be a tool for awareness and care.
“Liverpool gave me permission to believe in myself,” Anne says. “This city doesn’t just host art — it encourages it, protects it, and passes it on. Being here showed me that art can be a future, not just a dream.”
Today, Anne Wiziack stands as one of many international artists whose stories are deeply entwined with Liverpool’s cultural identity — proof that the city remains a place of artistic rebirth, opportunity and belonging.
