Art & Life with A.P. Nuri

Today we’d like to introduce you to A.P. Nuri.

A.P., please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I knew I wanted to tell stories from a very young age. I “wrote” stories through choreography since I was three, self-published an 80,000-word novel at 13, and have pursued painting and drawing since I was a young teen. My family’s support only compelled me to pursue my ambitions with a growing vigor as time passed. Now, I am working toward being a full-time artist in the mediums of theater, paint, and pen. In every show I perform in, every artwork I create, and every story I manifest, I remind myself of the importance of stories and how they help connect us all to the deep discoveries of what it means to be human.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
In painting, I allow my life experiences to create something new. I never force myself to produce something my mind, heart, and spirit aren’t ready to create. I believe my biggest impact comes when I create something out of the midst of my life trials and successes.

In acting, I research characters extensively and always ask myself, “What is my job here? How is this person human? Why is it important that their story is told? What should the audience gain by the time I’m through telling this character’s story?” I perform frequently in shows around Arizona and strive to craft performances that are relatable, realistic, and reinforce humanity.

In writing, I desire to whisk people away to the edges of their imagination. I write what I dream about and when I get something going, I almost never can stop. I lose myself in writing stories that are compelling and enrich readers’ hearts and minds. And in every book I’ve written, I maintain a fantastical element to remind readers that there is a spiritual side to everything we encounter in life.

What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
There’s a huge belief going around that art is anything you want it to be (which in many ways is true, to an extent) and many people don’t want to purchase art at its value for this reason. What many fail to see is the huge impact the arts has on the human soul and psyche. We often stick to things that are familiar and predictable, but art can sometimes challenge the deepest and darkest sides of humanity. Facing your demons can be intimidating, but working through that which is unfamiliar and uncomfortable has unbelievably long-lasting positive impact. Artists are learning to be business people (and not many of us are!) thanks to social media. This also makes it pretty difficult to get exposure for one’s work when there is so much noise in today’s world! I’m hoping we can all find what speaks most to us and focus on what’s important in life.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
If you’d like, follow my Instagram (@apnurir) which has all the exact dates of when you can see my work and what’s being offered. I am usually at Roosevelt Row’s First Friday every other month and I participate in art shows around the valley. I have artwork available online and displayed at King Coffee in Tempe for purchase.

If you like theater, I am currently the lead role in “Pippin” which runs April 4th-13th at Scottsdale Community College and will be participating in several other upcoming projects (The Bechdel Test Fest, Phoenix Theatre, etc.)

My first book (that I wrote when I was a teenager) is available for free on Smashwords and my newest novel, The Learning Wilds, which was published last year, is available for purchase on Amazon and Smashwords.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.apnuri.com
• Email: amandanurir@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnurir/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APNuri/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/apnurir
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/apnurir/

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