Artist profile
Amanda
Krantz
Amanda Krantz is an artist, primarily a painter, who lives and works from her studios in Melbourne, Australia, and Honolulu, USA.
The artist's work can be described as organic-psychedelia, combining familiar depictions of ecology with an otherworldly quality. They are captivated by the universal patterns found in nature, from the smallest to the largest scales. Drawing inspiration from the resemblance between a coral reef in northern Queensland and fungi in the alpine tundra of Tasmania, they venture into imaginative explorations beyond our current understanding.
The artist started pursuing full-time painting in 2004. Despite completing a bachelor's degree in contemporary art, Amanda never anticipated success in the highly competitive art world. Reflecting on their journey, they recognize that in a different era without the aid of the internet, they might have continued working in a bar, a profession they loved but have now surpassed in their artistic pursuits.
Since then, the artist has engaged in artist residencies in Japan, Thailand, and Tasmania, allowing them to expand their artistic horizons. They have exhibited their work extensively across Australia, Italy, Los Angeles, North Carolina, and New York City.
Career Highlights
1. 10 artwork commission for Ovation of the Sea, Royal Caribbean's modern art liner
2. Artworks for Mandarin Oriental, Riyadh, United Arab Emerates
3. Public artwork for The Ritz Carlton, Puerto Rico
Artist Interview
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
It varies. Sometimes I have an initial concept, and other times I might have a colour I wish to use but nothing more. Other times a concept will change as the layers of paint are placed. Usually the process is a dance between concepts and what the layers have shown me on the canvas.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
I'm privileged to work from two studios. I have a small warehouse style studio in inner-Melbourne where I live and work for half the year. And my partner and I share an ArtSpace loft in Honolulu. This space has multiple shared use spaces in the complex also.
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
Acrylic paint and mediums mostly. I elected some time ago to concentrate on those due to the advancement in additives and mediums that allow for constant experimentation, and discovery of new effects.
