Meet Amanda Banks | Fiber-based Visual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Banks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
At this point, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else…even when it’s hard (which is often!). Throughout my life, I’ve had many different jobs. Always looking for something fun and stimulating to do that also paid me and changing it up every 6-9 months. Art & expression is the only thing I have returned to consistently. It is my passion and my calling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m proud to be starting 2023 off strong with my first museum showing! Huge THANK YOU to Zachary Francois of Prelude Pointe Gallery for inviting me to show.

Y’all can go chek it out at Atlanta Contemporary January 28-March 19. (Take a picture & tag me @amandaworld.love !)

Getting to this point has been pretty bumpy, and I feel like I’m just getting started. At the end of the day my practice keeps me grounded.

I am a process driven, fiber-based visual artist. This means I find the most joy in the physical creation of my work and use familiar materials like fabric, thread, and yarn and the foundation of each piece.

A big part of my process is finding materials to work with. Sustainabilty is important to me, so I thrift/scavange or am donated most of my yarns, fabrics, and assorted metal and plastic materials. I love working with found and foraged objects as well- so you’ll never see any two of my works looking exactly alike. I’m always on the lookout for interesting and unconventional materials to work with, and this year I’d like to begin experimanting with large portions of metal fencing.

When you become a loving collector you are not only welcoming beauty into your home and supporting an artist- you’re also taking a step to divert materials from the waste stream! That’s pretty awesome.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
To be real- I live a bit outside Atlanta and enjoy spending time in nature and solitude… but when I’m in the city I love a vegan Purist from 5 Daughters Bakery to go with my Brash coffee.

I’d recomend getting outside! Pick up a to-go meal from your favorite spot and take a hike at the upper/ lower palisades trails or head to Sweetwater Creek State Park. Soak up some sun and birdsong. Get inspired in the fresh air.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
#1 is my mom- I physically wouldn’t be here without her. She has encouraged me to follow my interests and supported all of them since I was a child.

She went to that unknown place we’re all destined for on September 13th, 2021. Everything I create or achieve, within & without the context of art, is because of her unmatched energy that continues to inspire and uplift me.

Website: www.amandaworld.love

Instagram: @amandaworld.love

Other: Tiktok: @amandaworld.love