AMBER KHAN

My work explores forms and figures of life, identities, nonlinear realities, cultural production and the natural world through sculpture and painting. I use paper mâché, wood, fibre, paint and natural objects to materialise my research. 
 

“My hope is that my work provides a  comprehensive and ultimately deeper context for understanding our position within the natural  world and our historical engagement with it and each other.”

My childhood growing up in Honolulu, Hawai‘i as a member of the non-indigenous population and outside of the conventional American experience has disoriented my sense of belonging and place. I see the natural world as one influence all of us share - a connecting point for our individual and collective histories.

I tend to lean towards daily interactions as a starting point in my work. If an image,  colour, pattern, story, or smell is standing out to me, I will know to pay more attention to it. Iʻm also exploring methods of  amalgamating papier-mâché with found objects. I enjoy going to bric-a-brac markets and  finding all sorts of unique items to give a second life. I also recently did some mud larking around the Thames in Deptford and found a ridiculous amount of oyster shells. Their iridescent and rugged quality was too alluring to pass up. These shells lent themselves to the candle holder series Iʻm  working on at the moment.

I look to philosophy books, National Geographic magazines, ikebana, natural materials (rocks, shells, trees, dirt), Pinterest and Franz West for inspiration. I try to respond as honestly as I can to my time and place while looking backwards  and forwards to maintain a holistic approach. 

Amber is an artist from Honolulu, Hawai‘i currently residing in Deptford, London, England. Her work has been featured in both regional and international exhibitions including  Iceland, Cyprus, England, Croatia and Hawai’i.