Amber Rose Olivier is a professional South African artist, currently based in Germany. Amber studied Fashion Design and Textiles at the Durban University of Technology in South Africa and her signature style is her pop art creations, only available in small limited editions runs. In addition, she practices various techniques, such as painting, drawing, and mixed media.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
Most definitely Pop Art. My art consists of mostly Limited Edition prints. I also paint medium to large scale unique versions of my Limited Edition art.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I lock myself and my two cats in my home studio like a typical artist would, every week often on weekends. I put my earphones in and listen to my favourite songs. Then I’m ready to start creating. Some days I just want to draw illustrations, some days I just feel like painting. I make my best art when I am in my studio with no distractions.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
Often, before I have even started to create I have got the rough idea from a dream or idea I had. Then I quickly write or scribble it down. From a young child, I have always done this, being creative. It‘s what I can only describe as my creative itch, whether it‘s making designs in my fashion career, drawings, or painting. I have an idea and I need to start getting it out. Then the idea takes shape. Sometimes I add to the idea, sometimes it changes as I start creating. I believe, in some form or another, discipline and structure are needed to be consistent in your craft. Therefore, a big part of my creative process is the organisation and clarification of my ideas for the type of art I practice. I do this by using range building methods I used in my fashion career.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
I can give you long list, however, to name a few artists that inspire me are Andy Warhol, Keith Herring, Roy Lichtenstein. This is purely because these artists were legends at the forefront of the Pop Art movement. If not for them, maybe my art would have taken a completely different direction alt ogether. My greatest living artists are KAWS, Yayoi Kusama, Simone Leigh and Bradley Theodore, as they are my icons of the art world in the 21st century.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
Currently, being an artist is my passion, and I wouldn't do anything else.
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
For inspiration, I listen to my inner voice and some good music depending on my mood.
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
Oh, that's a difficult one! If it's a sculpture, Jug, 2019 by Simone Leigh. If it's a painting, Birth of Venus, 1984 by Andy Warhol.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
I would love a call from Eli and Edythe Broad! Alternatively, I'd be equally delighted to get a call from the Guggenheim or the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
Look more to the future and the direction the art world is going rather than looking at what everyone else is doing around you.
10) What is your favorite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
The River God by Wilbur Smith. I read it more than once and the reason I like it so much is that it has everything, history, intrigue, and adventure.
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non traditional art setting, where would that be?
As a carpet design or photo booth installation for the Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
Studying reveals where your talents and skills lie, and how you can build on them.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
I don't like to assume, yet I believe that in 10 years I will be a successful artist exhibiting in one of the world's most prominent museums. Also, I will be the owner of my own art gallery. My current artworks will be made into sculptures and installations in a few year's time.
BROWSE LUCIE'S AVAILABLE WORK HERE!
