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Work of Art: The Next Great Artist - Exclusive Interview with Amanda Williams

Posted on 06/10/2010 by in Work Of Art and Cast Interviews

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by Danae Young

 

Last night, Amanda was eliminated from Bravo’s new show Work of Art: The Next Great Artist. The judges did not think her work communicated the subject well enough and thought it was quiet. Despite the harsh criticism, Amanda is  still going strong in the art industry. RealityWanted got the chance to speak to Amanda about her elimination and plans for the future in an exclusive interview.

 

Q. Danae, RealityWanted: What made you want to apply to be on Work of Art?
A. Amanda: When I heard about the show, at first, I was a little hesitant. There were other people I knew that mentioned the show. This is a new way art might be accepted to all people so why wouldn’t you want your voice or your art heard?

 

Q. Danae, RealityWanted: What was it that made you decide to pursue your love of painting over a career in architecture?
A. Amanda: Definitely at the time I made the specific switch because it was much more about making sure I pursued my passion of art. Just to make sure I didn’t have any regrets. Why not take a risk and try something you really love? I had always not done art because I was encouraged it was not something that could provide financial stability. I figured why not try it while I was young and while I had opportunities. Now I’m at a point where I don’t think they have to be mutually exclusive.

 

Q. Danae, RealityWanted: Were you familiar with mentor Simon de Pury before the show?  Did he give you any advice that you will take with you?
A. Amanda: I had never met him before but I was familiar with his work as an art enthusiast. Not really. He was trying to be neutral and polite. He, as someone with his role in the art industry, was very encouraging and gave us the understanding it is important to take risks in the type of art you’re making. That is a sign of positive things to come. Just knowing he is supportive of this kind of project makes me feel like I can always reach out to him or kind of use him as a frame of reference.

 

Q. Danae, RealityWanted: Art is extremely tough to judge, since it's subjective.  Were you worried about that coming into the competition?
A. Amanda: No, not really. I knew that was a kind of an elephant in the room, but I felt like even if you fail at least you took a stab at it. I had a lot of faith in Bravo that they knew that going into this; and they were clearly going to try to make sure there was some frame of reference. I appreciate that an effort is being made to think of a way to understand art and make it fun.

 

Q. Danae, RealityWanted: Whose artwork really stood out to you?  Whose work were you a fan of?
A. Amanda: At the time we didn’t really know a lot about each other but I would say that Peregrine’s work stuck with me. It wasn’t a style I’m normally interested in but there was something about the quality of it and her craft that really stood out to me.

 

Q. Danae, RealityWanted: What was it like to meet Sarah Jessica Parker?  Did she inspire you at all?
A. Amanda: I wouldn’t say she was inspirational. It was that sense of you’ve grown and known somebody seeing them on television and you see them in person and see they’re genuine.

 

Q. Danae, RealityWanted: The judges felt that your work was quiet and didn't communicate enough about the subject.  Do you agree with their assessment of your work?
A. Amanda: I stand behind the work that I did and I take responsibility of it and the consequences. They’re entitled to their opinion. I accept that it’s their opinion but I don’t. Really, it’s almost irrelevant to me whether or not it was doing what they said. In the end they have the final say. I don’t know if my approach was the best fit for that.

 

Q. Danae, RealityWanted: Despite going home, how do you feel about the experience you had being on Work of Art?
A. Amanda: I think it was a great experience. I’m glad I was a part of a first. I met some great artists. From that standpoint, you can’t lose. You try and you do your best and hopefully you have a little fun along the way.

 

Q. Danae, RealityWanted: What's next for you?
A. Amanda: I have about a million things going on at any given time. I will continue to accept opportunities to grow as a human. In terms of art projects, I have an exhibition next May in the Bay Area where I grew up. Right now I am also continuing to teach college at the Illinois Institutue of Technology in Chicago.

 

 

(Image courtesy of Bravo)

 

Follow Danae on twitter.com/danaeyoung

 

For more Work Of Art links visit SirLinksALot.net


  


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