Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Linares.
Amanda, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, during the transition to one of the hardest moments in Cuban history: The Special Period. Having my parents separated as a baby, I grew up with a single mother who always tried to cover all my needs. Although we went through rough times, I can say that my childhood was extremely happy and full of love.
My interest in art started at a very young age. Like any child, I took part in many different artistic fields, but I would always go back to drawing and painting as if a sort of ritual. The school that shaped me was definitely San Alejandro Academy of Fine Arts in Havana, Cuba. Finally finishing high school and entering into this amazing environment felt like night and day. Once there, I fell in love with the mysterious art of printmaking and all its magical techniques. After San Alejandro and before leaving Cuba, I was able to study set design for two years at the Higher Institute of Arts (Instituto Superior de Arte, ISA).
Coming to Miami and finally reuniting with my family has been one of the biggest things that have happened in my entire life. Thanks to their unconditional support, I can continue doing what I love.
I’m currently working on my Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design at the New World School of Arts.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Coming to a new country was definitively a big shock. It was basically like learning how to walk because everything felt very different, especially for a person who has never been outside Cuba. It was hard and sad for many reasons, and the thought of all the people (family, friends) that I left behind was very painful. Work and school helped me to reinforce and strength my English, as well as make new friends. Anyhow, it hasn’t been easy, but I’m grateful for all the things that life has given me so far.
Please tell us about your work.
I consider myself a multitask artist, which means that I don’t rely on one medium. I use all of them as tools. Each medium, either photography, sculpture, painting, illustration, or design, helps me to materialize a concept, an idea. This is the reason why I’m always learning new platforms to express my self better.
I honestly feel that compare to other people I’ve taken longer to understand the type of art that I was interested in doing. I think that it wasn’t until a few years ago that I started to see my artwork more defined. My experience at New World School of the Arts has greatly helped me to shape my perceptions and interests artistically.
Clearly, my work feels to have a subtle intimate voice since I’m usually integrating personal experiences into its concept. It usually carries a great sense of poetic metaphors along with surreal scenarios. I like using the human body as a recurrent subject. I also find human physiques inspiring and intriguing. Although my subjects are in constant movement, they dance between the ephemeral and eternal, the material and ethereal, the real and unreal.
I love working with my hands, so when working as a designer I try not to only rely on the computer.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.amandallinares.com/
- Email: amandallinares@gmail.com
- Instagram: @amandallinares
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