We recently connected with Amanda Wirig and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?
One of the most unexpected problems I’ve faced in my creative career has been the lack of outward support from friends and family when I’ve had successes, because those successes are related to my work and not marriage or children. In the last year I’ve reached some really big milestones in my career–I gained gallery representation in Tokyo, I completed my first large-scale mural, and I’m working on an album with the band I joined last year. These are all achievements that I’m very proud of and have worked hard for, but I’ve celebrated these things largely on my own. We live in a society that loves to place an emphasis on weddings, baby showers, anniversaries, and the like, but often this doesn’t translate into celebrations for friends or family when they achieve something they’ve worked really hard on and have likely spent years preparing for.
I’ve really learned to lean into my creative community on social media and I’ve found so many artists, musicians, writers, poets, and photographers that are unbelievably supportive and encouraging. We’re joyful for each other when we succeed, and we’re there for each other when we face a setback. Many of these other artists are people I’ve never actually met in person, but I’m fortunate to be able to call them my friends and I hope that I’m able to offer them support and be the cheerleader they need in return for the reassurance they’ve given me. I’ve also realized the importance of celebrating yourself. It’s okay to buy yourself flowers or dinner when you’ve reached a milestone that brings you closer to your dreams. Ultimately each of us should be our own biggest fan and believe in the work we’re doing more than anyone else, and I think it’s important to take the time to recognize our achievements. If we’re always focused on the next project, the next creation, the next win, we’ll burn ourselves out and forget to stop and look how far we’ve come along the way.
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
I’ve been creating since I was old enough to hold a pencil in my hand. I began drawing at age three, and started music lessons at age eight. I’ve always been equally passionate about both music and art, which led me to double-major in both as an undergrad at Minnesota State University, Mankato. I’ve been fortunate to have day jobs that have tied in to both disciplines while working on my own creative projects, such as teaching both art and music and working in the arts nonprofit sector. My visual art is very much retro, mid-century-inspired Pop Art laced with subversive humor, references to music and pop culture, and themes of social justice and feminism. I mainly work in acrylics and mixed media, and create archival digital prints of my work as well. My use of text and humor definitely set me apart in a gallery setting, and I love the fact that I can use my sense of humor to make people laugh out loud in the sometimes stodgy world of “fine art,” as well as use that humor to start a dialogue about issues that are not always easily discussed in our polarized society. I’ve also expanded my practice into public art and large-scale murals, which I am hoping to do more of here in my new hometown of Minneapolis, and commissioned work, mainly Pop Art portraits of pets and people. At the moment I’m in the process of launching my own online contemporary art gallery, 119 North Weatherly (named for the fictional address of the house from “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”), which will allow me to continue the curatorial work I began years ago during my work in the nonprofit arts sector. The virtual gallery format will allow me to level the playing field a bit in an industry that is notorious for charging high fees for almost any exhibition opportunity, by charging only a small fee for my curatorial time and giving 100% of all sales directly to the artists featured. Because there is no overhead, rent, or liability to worry about, I’ll be able to market the work of artists online around the world and keep costs to a minimum.
As a musician I’ve learned to play several instruments over the years, beginning with piano and expanding to flute, piccolo, electric and acoustic guitar, classical guitar, ukulele, bass guitar, and voice. I’ve been playing in bands since I was sixteen years old and am currently lead guitar and backing vocals in an all-woman indie-pop band in Minnesota called Given Names. I’m also in the process of beginning a large-scale project that will allow me to incorporate music, visual art, writing, film, and photography that has been in the back of my mind for about a decade. I’m excited about the prospect of combining my passions and collaborating with other friends in order to create something that will be even bigger than I could have ever achieved on my own. The communal aspect of creating with others has always been such a positive outlet for me as a musician, and a great antidote to the isolation of creating visually. I’m always trying to push myself and stretch my creative muscles, and working with others is a great way to do so.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
If society wants to truly support artists and creatives, there needs to be an understanding that artists cannot thrive when their basic standard of living is sub-par. Obviously access to affordable living spaces and healthcare affect not only artists but society at large and should be seen as a human right. Affordable live/work spaces and studio spaces are a must, as well as a supportive community that is willing to not just voice that they support the arts, but put their money behind their words. Artists need the means to create, but that creation means nothing if the community is not buying art, attending arts events, and voting to pass legislation that supports the arts and the people who make them happen. The arts benefit everyone on a societal level, by fostering empathy and connection, by strengthening mental and physical health, and by stimulating tourism and the economy. It doesn’t exist in a vacuum and should be seen as a community effort.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I think there are two aspects of being an artist that absolutely make this calling worth it. First of all, being creative means that you have the ability to see the magic in the mundane. You can be taken aback by a gorgeous sunset, the sunlight behind the leaves on a tree, a really good meal, or the graffiti on the building you drive past every day after work. There is so much beauty in this world, and being an artist means knowing that a walk around your neighborhood can bring about a life-changing epiphany or a line of a song can bring tears to your eyes. In a world full of consumerism and useless distractions, these are the things that make daily life worth living. I hope I never, ever lose that sense of wonder for the world around me.
The sense of community that comes from meeting other people, whether through creative collaboration or artistic interaction, is another aspect that makes creation so rewarding. Deep conversations, big ideas, and seeing the joy on someone’s face when they come face to face with what you’ve created in isolation are truly some of the best things about a career in the arts. Playing music with other people can give you a high like nothing else in the world. Getting past surface-level small talk to discuss the inner-workings of a book, poem, song, film, or visual art experience are the things that bring us together and help us to remember what’s really important. I’ve made lifelong friends because of my careers in the arts, and I will always be grateful for the sense of community that art and music have brought me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amandawirig.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandawirig/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaWirigArt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandawirig/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmandaWirig
Image Credits
Daniel Dinsmore Photography Amanda Wirig