Post by : Monarch Editorials

KL, Malaysia – In the luminous pages of The Monarch, Asia’s largest and most influential cultural initiative by Newsible Asia, a new name joins the roster of visionaries shaping the continent’s creative future: Senegal-born, Paris-trained, Dubai-based Anastasie Akibode.

Her life story is a tapestry of continents and disciplines — from the precision of European engineering labs to the fluid expressiveness of art studios across three continents. Today, she stands honored by The Monarch not just for her artistic mastery, but for her role as Grand Chancellor of ArtDomain, the world’s first truly global art platform, launched by the UAE’s fastest-growing media force, DXB News Network.

Anastasie’s early career unfolded in the exacting world of engineering. In Paris, Germany, and the United States, she worked on projects where precision was paramount, the rules clearly defined. Yet even amidst blueprints and equations, another rhythm beat within her — one of sketchbooks, colors, and the urge to create something that could not be calculated.

"I was born an artist — but for years, I didn’t realize I was allowed to live as one."

Her Senegalese heritage, steeped in oral storytelling and symbolism, blended naturally with the discipline and technique of her Parisian training. Still, it took one decisive move to unlock her true artistic calling.

Dubai – The Turning Point

Arriving in Dubai marked the beginning of her transformation. The city’s art scene — bold, diverse, and ever-evolving — became both her catalyst and her canvas. Surrounded by contemporary creators who recognized her unique style, Anastasie found the confidence to merge every influence she carried: the warmth of Africa, the elegance of Europe, and the visionary pulse of the Middle East.

Her work quickly developed its own unmistakable signature:

• Raw emotional depth through ink, pencil, and charcoal, capturing the human spirit in stark, striking contrasts.
   
• Vivid abstraction in acrylics, where light, movement, and form flow together with dynamic energy.
   
• Sustainable practice, ensuring her art honors the environment as much as it expresses the soul.
   

Dubai’s embrace was swift. She earned the Merit Award from the Dubai International Art Center in 2013, showcased at Art Dubai, and exhibited in prestigious venues across Paris, Abu Dhabi, Dakar, and Sharjah.

Her education and mentorship journey has been equally global: classical training in Parisian art schools, figure drawing refinement at the Alliance Française in Dubai, and masterclasses at the Louvre. Along the way, she studied under acclaimed artists such as Guillaume Delorme, Corine Pagny, Lynn Ryner, and Donna Achson-Juillet.

Yet despite her accolades, she values connection above recognition:

"If my art makes even one person feel seen, understood, or inspired, then I have done my work."

Grand Chancellor of ArtDomain

In what The Monarch describes as “a defining moment for global culture,” Anastasie was appointed Grand Chancellor of ArtDomain — an unprecedented initiative by DXB News Network to unite artists, audiences, and ideas across the globe.

In this role, she is not just an artist — she is a cultural architect. She mentors emerging creators, advocates for sustainability in art, and fosters collaborations that transcend geography and genre. Her vision for ArtDomain is ambitious: a living network where the world’s art and artists flow together without boundaries.

A Life in Motion – On Canvas and at Sea

Her artistry doesn’t pause when she steps away from the easel. On a recent family vacation, Anastasie sailed her own boat, guiding it across open waters with the same mix of control and intuition she brings to her studio. "It felt like painting with the wind," she says — a reminder that freedom, whether on a wave or a canvas, is something you steer for yourself.

An Honored Voice in The Monarch

Being featured in The Monarch is more than a profile — it is a ceremonial acknowledgment of her place among Asia’s most influential cultural figures. It is a recognition that her work embodies the values the initiative was built on: resilience, reinvention, and the courage to turn passion into legacy.

"Dubai doesn’t just open doors," she reflects. "It shows you there are no doors at all — only endless possibilities."

Legacy and Vision

Anastasie’s next chapter is dedicated to mentoring the next generation — especially women — and producing a documentary tracing her evolution across continents. Through her leadership in ArtDomain and the honor bestowed by The Monarch, she continues to prove that art is not confined to walls and galleries; it is a living force that connects people, heals wounds, and inspires change.

About The Monarch
The Monarch, an initiative of Newsible Asia, is the continent’s largest and most prestigious platform for honoring individuals whose work shapes culture, inspires communities, and sets new benchmarks for excellence.