Empty Kingdom Presents: Amanda Elizabeth Joseph
This exclusive interview is brought to you by Empty Kingdom, a premiere art and design blog that features a wide spectrum of artists from film, new-media, fine-art, graphic design and more. This time EK introduces the talented, Amanda Elizabeth Joseph and her striking take on glitter becoming the “herpes of the craft world.”
Empty Kingdom: Your pieces emphasize and bring out beauty in details that we are otherwise told one should cover up. Do you think there is anything art can do to change the concept of beauty in our society?
Amanda Elizabeth Joseph: This is a really valid question. I think that as individuals situated in our society, we are constantly inundated with images through so many forms of media, whether it’s through the TV, internet, or printed items such as magazines, and at times, for me at least, we seem to just passively allow them to wash over us. There is something about a singular image or art object that is created to physically differ from or even harnesses or subverts the typical means by which we ingest visual information that can take a hold on people, whether they willingly acknowledge it or not. As long as there are artists creating works that embody an idea of beauty that deviates from the ever refining standard of “beauty,” the general notion remains open for discussion and interpretation, whether we’re talking about it strictly with regard to the female body or any physical or even intangible form.
Who are you and what is your connection with art?
As a kid I drew seemingly incessantly, and people often asked me if I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. My typical response was, “No, because they don’t make any money.” And here we are.
Where would you say that you get your inspiration from the most? Is there an artist or source that stands out in particular or has heavily influenced your work?
I’m not embarrassed to admit it, though I sometimes feel as though I should be, but KE$HA is a huge influence on the work that I make. The music, the glitter, the cheekiness, and what seems to be complete disregard for being tasteful and lady-like are all elements that I appreciate and have infiltrated my work to a degree.
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