AMANDA MICHELLE BARKER

Amanda Barker (b. 1989, Fort Myers, FL) is a Brooklyn-based artist who graduated from Pratt Institute in 2011. Working primarily in painting, she is deeply influenced by film, philosophy, and the concept of Hauntology. Within the realm of diaristic scenes, symbolism, and allegory, she navigates the intersection of these influences, creating a body of work that engages with the psychological and the spectral.

Self-portraiture is one of the most prominent features in Barker's practice. Through depictions of herself in narrative scenes, she recreates personal experiences like loss and love, aiming to establish a profound connection with her audience, and inviting them into an intimate exploration of identity and emotion. Film, particularly the stylings of Noir cinema, plays a pivotal role in shaping the atmosphere and storytelling in Barker’s paintings. Drawing from cinematic narratives, lighting techniques, and explorations of the human psyche in film noir, her work is imbued with a sense of mystery and psychological depth. Philosophy also acts as a guiding force, prompting reflections on the complexities of human existence, the nature of reality, and the interconnectedness of past, present, and future. Hauntology, specifically related to the writings of Mark Fisher, resonates through the paintings by evoking a sense of nostalgia, exploring the haunting presence of memories and emotions, and the interplay between presence and absence.

Her work has been shown internationally at SPRING/BREAK Art Show (New York, NY), PM/AM Gallery (London, UK), Ortuzar Projects (New York, NY), 1969 Gallery (New York, NY), The Children’s Museum of the Arts (New York, NY), and Bortolami Gallery (New York, NY). She has been featured in The Brooklyn Rail, Artforum, Whitehot Magazine, Garage Magazine and Idlewild Magazine. Amanda is also the co-founder of Boulevard Film Festival in New York City.