Anina Banks
Award winning artist, Anina Banks, tells the story of how she rekindles her love for the arts and rediscovers her artistic talents using clay. Illustrated with her early works in clay, this narrative draws parallels between feelings from past relationships and her new found love for mud.
Anina Banks has lived a life defying conventions while eschewing titles and definitions. And yet there remains one word to describe her: artist. A native of Nassau, Bahamas, she was born with the soul and hands of an artist. From an early age, Banks’ natural gifts were enhanced by intensive training in various fine arts mediums, including drawing, painting and print-making. A graduate of Drexel University, Banks, began working as a graphic designer in the corporate world and inadvertently took a break from producing traditional artwork. But her soul craved to create and the hiatus was short lived. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Banks shifted mediums completely, and began working solely with clay. Possessing a love for natural textures, primarily those found underwater or washed up on the shore, the pieces she began to form were beautifully eclectic, invoking images of conch and seashells, while simultaneously paying homage to her island upbringing and surroundings. - Diana Veiga, Writer and Friend
“from lost love to finding passion�
the attraction
The first few times I said “I
am an artist” the words
sat heavily on my tongue. Signing up to work with clay was a big step for me. A painter turning to art by working with clay? It was easy to paint, whereas it was a challenge to work with clay; clay is temperamental. My mind was made up, though, I was going to be an artist. And to do so honestly, I had to begin developing a body of work. How can I be an artist without a body of work? I’ve got talent, but I needed inspiration. I was curious about whether I would find the inspiration I needed to work with clay.
Martini Pour and Sip, 2010
Sketchbook, meet coral reefs. The same night I found this inspiration, I sketched like a madwoman. Music blasting from the speakers, I could breathe.
I was alive.
Rejuvenated.
Blown, 2008
Eight weeks later, after working three hours one night a week, my first piece was completely built. Not bisque-fired, but built. Everyone else had mugs, trays, and vases to glaze, and all I had was a small sphere with spikes. Moreover, I realized that even though my piece was built, there was a chance that it would not survive the first firing. Talk about reality check. Fortunately, my first piece was successfully bisque- and glaze-fired. To this day it is my most prized piece. And, most importantly, it is a visual representation of my inspiration and passion. And evidence that I was now becoming who I felt I was meant to be. An artist.
Featured Work Artichoke, 2009 - Private Owner Blown, 2008 - Artist Collection Children, 2010 - Private Owner(s) Cluster, 2008-09 - Private Owner Collared Lady, 2010 - Artist Collection Couple’s Breakfast - His and Hers, 2010 - Private Owner Graceful Acceptance, 2009 - Artist Collection Gone, 2010 - Artist Collection Martini Pour and Sip, 2010 - Artist Collection Pour and Sip Series, 2009 - Artist Collection Ridges, 2010 - Artist Collection Rose Thorns, 2010 - Private Owner Sea Twins, 2008 - Artist Collection Simple Invitation, 2009 - Artist Collection Suction Seduction, 2010 - Artist Collection Suction Tilt, 2009 - Artist Collection Triple Crown, 2010 - Artist Collection Tulip, 2008 - Artist Collection
Anina Banks
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