We were lucky to catch up with Amenda Tate recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amenda, appreciate you joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?
There have been many lessons learned at previous jobs. I have a broad and diverse job history, which has provided me with a variety of skills and experiences. I am not the kind of person that learns one thing and feels satisfied with growing in expertise in only that. I am a curious person, driven by an insatiable “need to know.” I want to know how to do it myself, how it works, and why. Then, once I know it, I want to know more about other things.
Some of my previous job learning experiences include working as a copy shop technician, waitress, bartender, farm helper, furniture repair and restoration specialist, retail salesperson, jewelry store accountant, preschool to sixth grade substitute teacher, digital accessibility lab researcher, college instructor, and museum tour guide educator. These varied roles have equipped me with a unique and comprehensive skill set.
As a copy shop technician, I developed technical skills and an eye for detail, ensuring high-quality production. My time as a waitress and bartender honed my customer service skills, teaching me how to handle diverse customer needs and thrive in fast-paced environments. Working as a farm helper instilled a strong work ethic and adaptability, while my experience in furniture repair and restoration allowed me to develop patience and precision.
In retail sales and as a jewelry store accountant, I gained valuable business acumen and an understanding of financial management. As a substitute teacher, I learned how to engage and manage young minds, adapting my teaching style to meet their varying needs. My role as a digital accessibility lab researcher opened my eyes to the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in technology, while teaching college students sharpened my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively.
As a museum tour guide educator, I have been able to merge my passion for learning with my love for art, sharing knowledge with diverse audiences and enhancing their museum experience. Each of these roles has taught me the importance of adaptability, resilience, and continuous learning.
These opportunities have provided me with the skills to be a conscientious and adept problem-solver, ready to make the best out of whatever circumstances I might meet. I’ve gained practical business skills to be a successful artist and entrepreneur. I have customer service and people skills that allow me to share my passion for learning with others and to uplift them in the process.
My broad job history reflects my curiosity and desire for continuous growth. It has shaped me into a well-rounded professional capable of tackling diverse challenges and contributing meaningfully in any environment.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As an interdisciplinary artist, I utilize both scientific concepts
and aesthetic processes. I create work that explores movement,
our relationship to technology, and the understanding of what it
means to be human, including the ways in which “humanness”
can be altered or limited. I use custom-designed technology,
creative coding, mark-making, performance, and installation to
foster interaction. My work encourages viewers to think critically
about identity and relationships in a vast and ubiquitous digital
world.
I employ interactive art to investigate perceptual awareness,
embodiment, and social experiences. My artworks materialize as
digital interactive art systems, actively involving the viewer in the
creation and interpretation processes. In blurring the boundaries
between the roles of artist, artwork, and audience, I question
authorship and the balance of power through creative
collaboration.
My works invite reflection on awareness, identity, and agency
within the posthuman, post-digital conditions of near-constant
surveillance. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, I explore
the influential interplay between biofeedback and broader
human behavior within socio-cultural practices. Join me on this
journey of exploration and reflection at the intersection of art,
neuroscience, psychology, technology, and the evolving
landscape of human consciousness.
BIO: Tate is an artist with a diverse background spanning metalsmithing, engineering, performance art, and visual art. She holds the distinction of being recognized as an Iowa Arts Council Fellow. Her creative practice is characterized by its interdisciplinary nature, rooted in engaging audiences through participation.
Tate is particularly known for her innovative work that employs custom robotics to transform dance into captivating abstract paintings, alongside her ventures into digital interactive systems and filmmaking. Her art explores a range of themes, including authorship, gender, legacy, and the evolving role of technology in our sociocultural landscape.
Her artistic journey has included enriching experiences as an Artist-In-Residence at the New York Mills Cultural Center and Ballet Des Moines. Her works have gained recognition in respected publications such as The New York Times, the Denver Post, the Des Moines Register, Better Homes & Gardens, and Popular Science. She has works in the permanent collections of Arrow Electronics, The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, and Banker’s Trust.
Tate’s dedication to her craft has been celebrated with honors, including two Editor’s Choice Awards at the New York International Maker Faire, as well as a special recognition award in the 2017 International RobotArt competition. Her commitment to pushing the boundaries of art has been further supported by grants, notably a project grant in 2020 and a 2021 Iowa Arts & Culture Resilience Grant, both awarded by the Iowa Arts Council in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
One of the most valuable guiding lights in my creative journey has been crafting my own mission statement. While this concept is familiar to businesses, particularly non-profits, it is far less commonplace for individual artists. While an artist may have an artist statement, a mission statement is more concise. It is succinct and serves as a point of reference when determining which efforts and opportunities deserve your time and energy.
Here is my personal mission statement: As an artist, I empower diverse audiences through the creation of exploratory works of art. I promote critical thinking and visual literacy, modeling social connection within our digital world and cultivating capacity amongst individuals and communities to interpret the world in which we live through richly meaningful expressions and interactions.
It is important to note that a mission statement is not a static and fixed orientation. Every few years, I revisit mine to ensure it aligns with my evolving goals and aspirations. This periodic reflection allows me to stay true to my core values while adapting to new insights and directions in my artistic journey. Revising my mission statement helps me stay focused on what truly matters, ensuring that my work continues to have a positive and meaningful impact.
Creating a personal mission statement has provided me with clarity and purpose. It guides my decision-making process, helping me prioritize projects and collaborations that resonate with my values and vision. This practice has been instrumental in my growth as an artist, enabling me to navigate the complex and often unpredictable landscape of the creative world with confidence and direction.
By articulating a clear mission, I am better equipped to communicate my intentions and goals to others, fostering stronger connections and collaborations. It serves as a foundation for my work, reminding me of the bigger picture and the impact I aim to achieve. Ultimately, my mission statement is a testament to my commitment to empowering others through art and continually seeking ways to enrich the lives of those I reach.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Ultimately, knowing that my art has a positive and meaningful impact on individuals and communities is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist. This impact manifests in several profound ways, each contributing to a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose in my work.
Art has the power to inspire change and growth, both on a personal and societal level. Through my creations, I aim to provoke thought, evoke emotions, and encourage people to see the world from different perspectives. Witnessing someone grow as a person is incredibly fulfilling.
My art often serves as a catalyst for bringing people together, creating a sense of community and shared experience. Whether it’s through collaborative projects, interactive installations, or community art events, seeing people connect and bond over my work is deeply gratifying. Moreover, art can bridge cultural, social, and generational divides, fostering dialogue and understanding among diverse groups. By addressing universal themes and human experiences in my work, I strive to create pieces that resonate with a wide audience, sparking conversations and fostering empathy.
Art has the unique ability to capture moments in time and create lasting memories. Knowing that my work can become a cherished part of someone’s life, a piece that they connect with and remember fondly, adds a timeless quality to my impact as an artist. Empowerment is a central theme in my mission. Through workshops, educational programs, and interactive pieces, I aim to empower individuals to express themselves, explore their creativity, and find their voice. Seeing others discover their potential and gain confidence through art is immensely rewarding.
In summary, the positive impact my art has on individuals and communities is the cornerstone of my fulfillment as an artist. It is this profound and multifaceted impact that drives my passion, guiding me to create work that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also meaningful and transformative.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wwwww.AmendaTate.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amendatate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmendaTateArtist/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amenda-tate-21546330/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amendatate1739
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/amenda-tateww
- Other: Internationally award winning independent short film Sapient_2.021
https://www.sapient2021.com/
https://www.instagram.com/sapient_2.021/
Image Credits
Images courtesy of the artist.