Pen’s Eye: Interview with Artist Amber Robles-Gordon

Dear Pennies & Pens,

Today’s post features an interview with Washington, D.C. based mixed media artist Amber Robles-Gordon. Amber’s preferred medium is collage and assemblage. Her work is representational of her experiences and the paradoxes within the female experience.

Amber focuses on fusing found objects to convey her own personal memories inspired by nature, womanhood, and her belief in recycling energy and materials. I discovered Amber’s work after a Google search and I’m so excited to be featuring her work.

I interviewed Amber via phone and it was great learning about her work and creative process. I truly believe that Amber is a talented artist who creates work that inspires and starts a conversation. With no further adieu, check out the interview with Artist Amber Robles-Gordon below.

Where are you from? 

My family is originally from Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. I was born in Puerto Rico but I’ve been living in Washington, D.C., for the past 18 years.

What inspires you to create art?

I am inspired by colors and the way I relate to textures. I believe that everything has an inherent type of energy. I question why people throw things out and why they recycle things. I’m always seeking to answer the question, “How do we reuse things that we have used? Especially after they are considered unusable?”

What made you decide to become an artist?

I knew very early on that I wanted to be an artist. I was about 8 years old when I realized it. My mother exposed me to museums and I was drawn to the impressionists. The impressionists were my favorite part. I always wanted to follow in Abstract Painter Alma Thomas’ footsteps.

Art has always been one of the areas in life that really fed my spirit. Art is what I did and what I enjoyed; my connection to art happened very early. I figured I should be able to do what I loved and what gives me joy.

What school did you go to?

I went to Trinity College and earned a BA in Business Administration. I decided to get a BA in Business so I would know how to manage myself and my business. I also attended Howard University and earned a Master’s in Fine Art.

How do you create your work?

I use recycled bottles, shells, marbles, plastic flowers, canvas, fabrics, and textiles to create my pieces. I love working with different types of materials. The materials speak to me; I am in conversation with them.

When I create, I will sit in a room filled with boxes and think about what I want to say and what materials will communicate what I’m trying to say. Once I have a message and decide on materials to use, I go through the process of creating.

Who is your favorite artist?

I don’t have a favorite but I do have people whose work I admire. I’ve always admired Alma Thomas but I also like Shanique Smith, Mariah Johnson, Briana McCarthy, and Jamea Edwards.

What do you hope to accomplish with your work?

I want people to walk away with a different understanding of how I see color. I have a relationship with color; I believe that our social constructs depends on how it affects us.

I also want people to walk away and reconsider things they use in their own environment. If we don’t teach our children to reuse things then how will there be somewhere for them to live?

I feel that we should teach our children about art and how to appreciate it. We should also teach them that they have a seed to create. The seed is valuable in each and every one of us. I believe that once you realize that you can create and manifest thereby developing self worth.

Tell me about past, current, and upcoming projects?

I recently released new work entitled, At the Altar: Dance of the Serpents. This piece was created through my signature assemblage process combining textiles and found objects, the work takes new form using a recycled hammock as its support and foundation, representing the structural constructs of the past and the restrictive patterns of repetitive thinking.

At the Altar: Dance of the Serpents is the second installation in the South Capitol Skyscape series at WPA. The 50 foot banner is on the South Capitol Street facade of the Capitol Skyline Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The original sculpture featured in the banner will be on view in the lounge of the Capitol Skyline Hotel from October 29-November 28, 2014. There’s also an Opening Reception on November 20, 2014. For more information, check out: WPA.