Her Story
About Amalia
Amalia Amaki showed an interest in drawing, painting and photography as a pre-teen. She devoted time to her art interests while earning four degrees. Exposure to the work and philosophy of painter Georgia O’Keeffe, photographers Betty Hahn, Philip Calabria, and Beaumont Newhall inspired her to explore the medium further. The interaction between the visual, historical, cultural, and literary aspects of artistic expression have remained central to her career.
She continues to make art, curate exhibitions, deliver lectures, conduct research and write books, essays and articles on art and culture topics as an independent scholar out of her private studio. Being cause-driven, she has a long history of using her talent to assist others in cultural endeavors and making contributions to programs serving communities through expressive media.
Her most recent publication is Ordered Steps: The Life and Career of Dr. Audrey Forbes Manley (2025).
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amalia
01What do you attribute your success to?
Hard work. Perseverance. Making new discoveries. Trusting my creative instincts. Being prepared when opportunities arose. Being around successful people.
These things have collectively served me well.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
'When you are treated unfairly in your career, don't get mad, get even; and the best way to get even is to be successful.' (Georgia O'Keeffe).
'Remember 'that 'nothing can destroy you from the outside.' (Mary Hill Peek, my mom).
'Laugh every day at work. It' will get you through.' (Norman Vance Peek, my dad).
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Travel. Explore new, unfamiliar territories thoroughly and honestly, literally and figuratively. Make discoveries. Take advantage of every opportunity to look at art, especially work that intrigues you and seems to speak to you. These approaches can help you identify and clarify your own voice. Chase excellence, purpose and honesty and you will have a better than average chance of building a successful career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The greatest challenge in creative fields right now s devising ways to take advantage of technological advances in ways that enhance creativity without overtaking it.
The greatest opportunity is having access to advances in technology.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Respect for cultural history remains important to me in all of my career work. My art-making, teaching, curatorial projects, research and writing continue to be anchored in expressions of my regard and interest in cultural history.
In my personal life, family and close friends come first. Commitment to the people important to me has never been in legitimate conflict with my creative endeavors. I feel empowered in many ways by the love and support of family and friends. And in some cases matters associated with them have been seeds of inspiration in my work.
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