Biography
In kindergarten, Amber Aguirre created her first ceramic piece. Given a circle of clay, students were instructed to press their hands into it and crimp the edges to form an ashtray — a common project in 1963, when every household needed one. From the moment she witnessed soft clay transform into a rock-hard, waterproof object, Aguirre was hooked on the magic of ceramics. Throughout her childhood, she attended summer ceramics classes at a local high school, since her elementary school lacked facilities. By second grade, after winning a school poster contest, she knew she was destined to be an artist.
In college, Aguirre discovered her deeper artistic calling. Her first art history class awakened her to the power of art as a voice for social conscience — a realization that continues to guide her work. Her sculptures often address social issues, becoming reflections and historical records of the culture we live in.
Aguirre earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California, and later a Master’s Degree in Art Education from San Francisco State University, along with a California teaching credential. She went on to teach ceramics in the public school system, sharing her passion for the medium.
A life-altering event in 1994 further deepened Aguirre’s connection to the human experience. While taking a "survival skills" course in Utah, she suffered a severe injury in a remote canyon, waiting 14 hours for helicopter rescue. After years of surgeries attempting to save her leg, it was ultimately amputated in 2019. The pain, challenges, and emotional journey through this experience continue to shape and inform her work, giving it a raw and honest humanity.
In 2001, Aguirre moved to Hawai‘i to fully dedicate herself to her own art, realizing the dream she had held since childhood.
Her upbringing as the daughter of Holocaust survivors is another profound influence on her work. Her mother, who survived Auschwitz and the Death March, and her father, a forced labor camp, instilled in her a deep awareness of social injustice. Her mother’s mission to educate young people about acceptance and tolerance left an indelible mark on Aguirre, who uses her art to carry forward that message: to fight against discrimination and advocate for marginalized voices.
While much of Aguirre’s work explores serious themes, she balances it with a keen sense of humor. Humor becomes an entry point, drawing viewers into deeper engagement with complex issues. By finding levity even in difficult subjects, Aguirre invites audiences to connect with her art on both an emotional and intellectual level.
Today, more than 50 years after making that first ashtray, Aguirre is represented by top galleries specializing in ceramics. Her work is exhibited and collected internationally, a testament to her lifelong dedication to the transformative power of art.