Rapid City, SD — Amber Zora is promoting peace through art that lifts up the experiences of veterans and others affected by war. As an interdisciplinary artist and Iraq War veteran, Amber seeks to challenge dominant narratives about militarism, war and dehumanization. She has exhibited her work in local and national galleries, curated anti-war exhibits and taught art classes. With her Bush Fellowship, Amber will work on facilitation and other leadership skills, and build relationships and knowledge in the anti-war field through studio visits with artists and travel to museums around the world that have curated work around war and conflict. She hopes to build a network of artists who are veterans or have been affected by war from around the region and find new ways to promote their work.
What has informed your approach to leading change in your community?
Growing up in South Dakota, I was very quiet and reserved. After my time in the military, I realized that my voice was needed because there weren’t very many veteran women in my artistic community. I kept showing up to veteran spaces hoping to find others who were asking the same questions I was about war and militarism. Seeing a need in this community slowly pushed me further and further into this leadership role.
What is the greatest gift you have ever received?
My parents gave me a film camera when I was in high school. I still have that camera. It doesn’t take very good photographs — almost like a toy camera — but I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it. My parents have always been supportive of my art practice, and they gave me this before any of my art accolades or before knowing this is the field I would end up working in.
What is your favorite quote or expression?
“The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher plane.”
This George McGovern quote feels appropriate for the work I am doing within the veteran art community. We need hope to keep moving forward in a world where that can seem very difficult at times, and we need to remember that we are working to build a better future.
