Today’s Notable Young Professional is Afghan-Canadian artist Hangama Amiri, who was recently announced as a winner of the 17th Annual RBC Painting Competition. We caught up with her to discuss this milestone and what advice she would share with other aspiring artists…
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1. Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
As an Afghan-Canadian artist, I paint in the styles of representational, abstraction, using large scale two-dimensional surfaces, and integrating mixed media.
2. Who has helped you the most in your career? Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My family has been my motivation and inspiration to keep telling stories through paint, as well as my mentors at NSCAD University.
3. What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Receiving the Portia Protégé Award from Laurie Swim at Art Nova Scotia Gala 2013. And this fall, when I received a Traditional Fulbright Canada Student award, which enabled me to do my independent research at Yale University for the academic year of 2015-2016.
4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
In five years I want to obtain my MA & MFA in art history and studio art practice. In 10 years I would like to be an instructor of art history and painting at a Canadian university, and in 20 years I would like to establish my own institution of contemporary fine arts in Kabul, Afghanistan, or somewhere in Central Asia.
5. Do you have any advice for other young artists?
Have growing knowledge of art history. Use your imagination, and always have positive commitments in your artistic practice and ambitions. Keep creating authentic art, and attend as many artist talks you can in your city.
6. Do you support any causes? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
In my artworks, I explore questions of my identity and my voice on social issues and women’s voices in Afghanistan and central Asia, which I think is unique in Afghanistan and Afghan diasporic communities.
7. What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
I guess the major challenge for me occurred after graduating NSCADU in 2012, when I was introduced to the art market – the business side of the art world. Acknowledging that in order for me to make a living as an artist, I needed to know how to price my work better or introduce myself to galleries and always plan to take opportunities of exhibiting my work nationally and internationally. I think in the end it’s all about commitment to your field and to your artistic endeavours.
8. What does the word notable mean to you?
The word notable for me means creating important and memorable artworks.
PLAY
1. Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
In Halifax, I loved dining and socializing at Lion & Bright Bar & Café. While in New Haven, Connecticut, it’s Oak Haven Table and Bar, where everything in the bar is fresh, tasty and healthy from farm to table.
2. What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Art news and Canadian art. I have been listening to M.I.A’s new song “Borders” religiously this week.
3. Who is one artist you wish every Canadian was paying attention to right now?
David Altmejd.
4. What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
Spain to visit The Picasso Museum in Barcelona. Indian culture, art and food also interest me, so probably Goa is the next one on my traveling list.
5. What gives you the greatest FOMO?
When I’m stuck at the library doing research and there are artist talks in New York.
6. What’s your guiltiest pleasure?
A craving for frozen yogurt during the day, even in winter.
7. What’s something you wish you didn’t spend so much money on?What’s something you wish you spent more on?
I guess shopping for dresses and make-up. I wish to save and budget to do independent residencies in Europe and Asia.
8. Finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success to me is getting an art series I created from scratch out into the world. It happens regularly, and I am proud of it.
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