Your Bag is Empty
a season for giving back with hunter amos
hunter amos is a young man on a mission, with his sights currently set on the bright lights of new york city to pursue further studies at the esteemed parsons school of design – quite a change from the byron hinterland, where he grew up and currently lives. in the lead up to what will be a quieter, more considered holiday season for most, we caught up with hunter to find out more about his creative process and holiday rituals.
follow hunter’s work @hunteramosart.
what was it like growing up in byron bay in a creative family?
i’m really grateful to have grown up surrounded by creative people, as well as being supported by other local artists in the byron area. it was also great to have a balance between the rural aspects of byron, and being able to learn from people visiting from bigger cities. i definitely feel as though my upbringing will play a huge role in my life and will continue to influence my work.
tell us more about your creative practice?
i’m interested in portraiture in an impressionist style and i’ve recently begun painting more self-portraits. i think focusing on myself as the current subject of my work is a result of the current transitional period in my life, as i make the move from a small australian town to nyc.
i’m currently studying at parsons online and it's really great to be interacting with the professors and practicing artists in new york through the many different livestream talks and online events. while online has been great for learning, i’m really excited to be able to experience the city, the great works of art and to immerse myself in the parson’s community.
what inspires you?
i’ve always been inspired by the ambiguity around art as a form of expression and the way in which artists navigate their influence on this world. in this time where it feels as if there's so much to question, it’s liberating to see people return their attention to the arts – it acts as a relief and escape from our surroundings.
how, where and who will you be celebrating christmas with this year?
in the same way i’m sure many of us are – at home with family and friends.
what are you most grateful for this christmas? and hopeful for, for the year ahead?
i’m really grateful to have a space to express myself, as well as a safe space to live through these times. i truly hope that next year we'll be able to appreciate the things that we may have missed this year.
what are your favourite christmas traditions?
i think finding and decorating a tree from our property is always fun. christmas day for my family always begins or ends in the ocean.
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i think it’s liberating to see people return their attention to the arts as it acts as a relief and escape from our surroundings.
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what will you be giving this christmas and how do you do so in a conscious and sustainable way?
most christmas' we either make the presents, or gift things that inspire one another and i’ll definitely be taking the same approach this year.
what is next on the horizon for yourself and your work?
i’m planning on expanding my practice by working with different mediums to express the intention behind my work. i think it’s important for me to have new experiences to allow my work to evolve, so i hope to always put myself in a position where i can continue to grow. i’m also currently working towards a new exhibition in byron with arran russell, which we plan to open early january.
what will you remember or take away when looking back at 2020?
2020 started off with the bushfires here, then the flooding, and then i had my first solo show right before covid – so there has definitely been some ups and downs. though it was tough at the start, it allowed me to take time to consider my options without any distractions as the world literally stopped.
your must-sees and do’s in byron bay?
with all the galleries and pop ups opening, i think the industrial estate has become the true creative precinct of byron and i’d encourage everyone to try and check it out.
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christmas day for my family always begins or ends in the ocean.
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2020 started off with the bushfires here, then the flooding, and then i had my first solo show right before covid – so there has definitely been some ups and downs. though it was tough at the start, it allowed me to take time to consider my options without any distractions as the world literally stopped.
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hunters's edit
hunter amos captured by trevor king in his byron bay studio.
view more of hunter’s work online at hunteramos.com