Across Art Worlds: Amanda Morgan’s Path from Early Inspirations to ICA Miami

Elisium Art continues its Curatorial Spotlight series with a conversation that brings research, storytelling, and thoughtful curatorial insight to the forefront. In this fourth feature, we’re proud to highlight Amanda Morgan, a curator whose practice bridges rigorous scholarship with an acute sensitivity to artistic voice. Her journey — from a child enchanted by art class to a curator shaping exhibitions at ICA Miami — is rooted in curiosity, emotional engagement, and a commitment to artists at pivotal moments in their careers.

Below, Amanda reflects on the origins of her passion, the formative encounters that shaped her worldview, and the evolving responsibilities of curators today.

A Childhood Spark and a Formative Encounter with Modernism

Asked what first drew her into art and curatorial practice, Amanda traces her interest back to childhood:

«As a kid, I really enjoyed art class in school and making art, so I would say that I’ve always had an inclination towards art.»

But the defining moment arrived in high school, during a visit to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. The sheer magnitude of the collection made an impression, yet it was her first encounter with Abstract Expressionism that proved transformative.

She recalls:

“This was my first introduction to Modernism and the history of art, and it sparked my interest in modern and contemporary art.”

Standing in front of the works by Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Barnett Newman sparked an early awareness of art’s emotional and philosophical power:

“Experiencing the feeling of sublime… opened my eyes to the emotive and philosophical power of art. And it made me want to learn more.”

The Heart of Curating: Storytelling, Sensitivity, and the Artist’s Voice

Amanda’s exhibitions and publications often merge research with narrative. When she begins shaping a show, the starting point can vary — an artist, an idea, or even a personal response.

«Everything you mentioned is a valid way to start a project… I do love telling a story.»

Yet her curatorial approach is grounded in facilitating the artist’s voice:

“I see my role as a curator largely as a facilitator for the artist’s voice and ideas.”

This artist-centered method becomes particularly meaningful when working with emerging creators. While each project at ICA Miami has been special, she notes:

“The shows that I’ve worked on with emerging artists are particularly special to me… It has been a really collaborative and fulfilling process working with an artist on one of their first solo museum shows.”

Art in Unexpected Places: Curating Inside a Music Festival’s Chaos

One of Amanda’s most unique challenges came with Pathways to Encounter, an exhibition she curated for the iii Points music festival.

The show featured three videos from ICA Miami’s Knight Foundation Digital Commissions, displayed in shipping containers placed throughout the festival grounds. The works included:

• Learning from The White Birds (2021) by Minia Biabiany
• Diapause (2020) by Deirdre Keough for the Institute of Queer Ecology
• Exotic Naps (2020) by GeoVanna Gonzalez — which inspired the exhibition title

Curating art amid a loud, crowded festival presented both conceptual and logistical challenges:

“It was a very different environment from the museum.”

Amanda selected videos that explored the relationships between people and their environments, believing that a music festival would offer a unique setting for such encounters. She found joy in witnessing festival-goers pause to engage deeply with each piece:

«Hopefully, we encouraged a few people to come check out what we’re doing at ICA Miami afterwards.»

Balancing Scholarship with Emotion

Amanda’s work on catalogues requires merging academic rigor with interpretive sensitivity. Her philosophy is straightforward:

“I think the best works are deeply researched and often conceptual, but they present this information in a way that still resonates with people.”

Even with a solid base of research, she preserves room for personal reflection:

“I approach my work from an informed perspective, but there is still space for thoughtful personal analysis.”

What she hopes viewers take from her exhibitions is simple yet powerful:

“I hope that viewers relate or have an emotional reaction to the work… rather than feeling a kind of indifference.”

Collaboration, Curiosity, and What Keeps Her Inspired

For Amanda, the collaborative process with emerging artists often becomes as meaningful as the exhibition itself:

“There’s a certain responsibility… and it often creates a special bond that continues even after the show has closed.”

What excites her most in new artworks?

“I love it when a work sparks my curiosity—when it doesn’t immediately tell me everything all at once.”

Outside of work, her creativity is nourished by reading, traveling, and movement:

“I also play tennis, do yoga, and go for walks. Exercise does so much to support the mind.”

Advice for the Next Generation

Her message to young curators and writers is grounded, practical, and generous:

“See as much as you can—go to shows and artist studios whenever you have time… build a solid foundation of knowledge that you can pull from.”

What’s Next: December at ICA Miami

Amanda’s upcoming projects include two December exhibitions co-curated with ICA Miami’s Artistic Director, Alex Gartenfeld:

• “Special” — the first solo U.S. museum show for German painter Andreas Schulze
• “記憶の足跡 | Traces of Memory” — one of the first U.S. museum exhibitions for Japanese ceramicist Masaomi Yasunaga

Both artists, she notes, have spent their careers “challenging the conventions of their respective mediums.”

Closing Reflections

We are deeply honored to spotlight Amanda Morgan in this edition of our Curatorial Spotlight series. Her insights open a graceful window into what thoughtful curation can be — attentive, rigorous, empathetic, and anchored in a genuine commitment to artists and audiences alike. At ICA Miami, Amanda has shaped exhibitions that do more than present work; they create encounters, spark questions, and expand the ways contemporary art is understood and felt. Her contributions ripple far beyond the museum’s walls, enriching conversations that define today’s global art landscape.

What resonates profoundly with us at Elisium Art is Amanda’s belief in storytelling as a curatorial gesture, her dedication to amplifying emerging voices, and her ability to build spaces where viewers can slow down, connect, and look with intention. These values lie at the heart of our own mission — to champion artists across cultures and geographies, and to honour the contexts that shape their practices.

Amanda’s journey is a reminder that curation is both an intellectual pursuit and an act of care. It is scholarship, yes — but also intuition, dialogue, and a deep respect for the transformative power of art. We are grateful for the wisdom and generosity she shared with us, and we are proud to bring her perspective to our global community.