Amanda Harker likes to shock, using traditional children’s stories, lace, and embroidery to defy expectations. The viewer, lulled into thinking they are looking at something decorative and ornate, is confronted instead with ideas of obscenity and pornography. In her words, her work “mirrors the multi-layered perceptions of women”.

[Show as slideshow]

Finger
Part of a series of cross-stitch embroidery based on found graffiti.

Amy is
Graffiti takes on a new light in cross-stitch form.

Suck

Jason is a prat

123►

As my artwork is far from traditional, I haven’t very often sold my work. In Cyprus particularly, this was a big issue for me, tourists and the like would wander into my exhibition and say “well, it wouldn’t go with my sofa”. Talk about missing the point. In fact I think I would be more offended if it did go with their decor!

How did you end up working as an artist in Cyprus?
When I left university, I still lacked confidence and felt that art was more of a hobby. I found myself in a call centre job, which was ok, but it wasn’t art, or even vaguely related to art, and I found myself rapidly loosing my creative spirit. Something radical needed to be done.

I found the advert for an 8-month, postgraduate course at Cyprus College of Art in the back of an art magazine. I didn’t know anybody there, nor had I visited the island before and the accommodation was very basic. But I can sincerely say, it’s the best thing I have done for myself.

I reaffirmed what I knew deep down, that art is to be taken seriously, I am good at it and it is with every fibre of my being, my passion in life.

I had many exhibitions and worked my way through the entire exhibiting procedure of thought processes, organising, sponsor liaising, marketing, production, curating, set-up, invigilation and audience interaction. It opened my eyes to the world not just art, and burst my naive bubble of my white, Christian, urban, middle-class Derby bred life. Absolutely fantastic.

What are the ideas behind your artwork?
I love using humour, irony and stark contrasts as methods of portraying a concept. Every new project I tackle, I use a new technique appropriate to my idea (in fact using inappropriate technique can be interesting too).

I think a lot about religion, culture, roles/perceptions of women, contradictions and dichotomies. I like to lull my viewer into a false sense of security with an everyday image/object, but on closer inspection there is a hidden message through a form of manipulation.

Do you sell any of your work?
Raising questions, tackling issues and contemplating a series of ideas is more important to me. Even if someone pauses momentarily in front of my work then I feel satisfied.

Have you exhibited your work?
In Cyprus, there was a continuous flow of work shown. And things are starting to take off again now I have my feet firmly rooted.

How do you feel about exhibiting your work?
Absolutely love showing my work, its what its all about isn’t it? And I do really like the good with the bad. Even if someone hated it, it’s still made an impression.

Do you have any favourite artists?
Banksy and Hetain Patel.

What materials do you use and why?
Every project I embark on I endeavour to use different materials/ techniques. In fact I very rarely use the traditional paint and brush/ pencil and paper. Using found or common objects is always fun, making the viewer look at something in a new light, perhaps in a way they hadn’t considered before.

What materials would you like to learn to use and why?
I think it’s important as an artist to keep your options/ mind open. Even if I don’t use a technique I’ve learnt directly or even literally in my work, you never know where it might transform and manifest itself. I have recently attended workshops from jewellery making, ceramics, Indian classical Lipon art, sandcasting to a Photoshop taster session.

What inspires you?
Everything and anything. I always keep a sketchbook going with doodling, notes and clippings of anything that catches my eye.

When I arrive at a theme or notion I want to explore, my first point of call is research. The internet is a wonderful thing! We thrive on knowledge after all. Sometimes my notebooks/ sketchpads can be as interesting as the finished piece.

When did you last go to an art exhibition?
The last one I went to, a few weeks ago, was Uneven Geographies at Nottingham Contemporary gallery, followed up by an all-day seminar on the role of art in globalisation.

I think its very important as an artist to visit galleries and keep abreast of current affairs both within the art realm and outside influences, you never know when something will spark a bit of imagination!

Previous publications, essays and interviews:
Feb 2, 2005: Interview for Paphos TV channel, discussing exhibition at En Plo, Pafos.
Feb 21, 2005: Live broadcast for CyBBC radio on the topic of my solo show at CCA.
Mar 6, 2005: Pages 36-37, Sunday Mail- Seven Magazine. Interview on exhibition and artist background.

Amanda Harker (27) works as a part-time artist and full-time mum. She has lived in Preston, UK and Paphos, Cyprus, but always felt drawn back to her roots in Derby, UK. She studied BA Fine Art Degree at University of Central Lancashire and a post-graduate diploma in Fine Art at Cyprus College of Art. She also works part-time for Artcore and as a volunteer at her local library.

The images in this post are courtesy of and copyright of Amanda Harker.

how-to-be-a-fine-artist.com is looking for artists who want to share and inspire others. If you would like to feature your work here, then leave a comment at the end of this post.