Burnt-out cars, disused factories and coal-fired power stations inspire Amanda Thompson’s intricate woodcuts. By Liane Arno
AMANDA Thompson was home alone, cosily ensconced in her jammies, when an almighty noise came from next door. With her husband away, there was no way she was going to investigate. She buried herself deeper into the lounge chair and hoped that whatever caused it would go away, but she couldn’t ignore the urgent banging on the door that followed. Amanda opened it to find a young woman on the doorstep shouting at her that there was a car on fire at her neighbour’s place.
AMANDA Thompson was home alone, cosily ensconced in her jammies, when an almighty noise came from next door. With her husband away, there was no way she was going to investigate. She buried herself deeper into the lounge chair and hoped that whatever caused it would go away, but she couldn’t ignore the urgent banging on the door that followed. Amanda opened it to find a young woman on the doorstep shouting at her that there was a car on fire at her neighbour’s place.
So a burnt-out wreck became the latest inspiration for Amanda’s art. Recently she’s been heading up to the local HPV pine plantation, which is often the location where the less savoury elements of Morwell take their stolen cars to burn in the hopes that it will remove all traces of the thieves’ identities.
Amanda transforms the cars into abstract images, carving the designs into wood from which she then prints her large-scale multi-panelled woodcuts. She takes her ideas from her immediate surroundings and the looming power stations in Morwell provide her with many ideas.
In some ways her work is a social commentary on her local environment as well as poking fun at commercialisation. She is saddened by social injustice but recognises there is much energy in trying to revitalise a low socio-economic community which has seen a lot of drug use, unemployment and crime.
From an early age Amanda knew what she wanted to do but with a father as a truckie in Melbourne’s east she had little encouragement. All she can recall of painting at school was completing a painting by numbers piece. It wasn’t until she was in her early 30s and had been nursing for many years that she decided to “stop procrastinating – just do it” and enrolled at her local TAFE.
She adored the study and learning her craft, so much so that she went on to complete her masters some years later.
She enjoyed the way the curriculum provided a taste of many types of art and craft practice and then directed the student into an area of specialisation. For Amanda it was print making.
Amanda transforms the cars into abstract images, carving the designs into wood from which she then prints her large-scale multi-panelled woodcuts. She takes her ideas from her immediate surroundings and the looming power stations in Morwell provide her with many ideas.
In some ways her work is a social commentary on her local environment as well as poking fun at commercialisation. She is saddened by social injustice but recognises there is much energy in trying to revitalise a low socio-economic community which has seen a lot of drug use, unemployment and crime.
From an early age Amanda knew what she wanted to do but with a father as a truckie in Melbourne’s east she had little encouragement. All she can recall of painting at school was completing a painting by numbers piece. It wasn’t until she was in her early 30s and had been nursing for many years that she decided to “stop procrastinating – just do it” and enrolled at her local TAFE.
She adored the study and learning her craft, so much so that she went on to complete her masters some years later.
She enjoyed the way the curriculum provided a taste of many types of art and craft practice and then directed the student into an area of specialisation. For Amanda it was print making.
She tells me it can take months to complete a work. Not much of an hourly rate! She finds it a meditative process carving the intricate lines into the wood. And always accompanied by music. I see if I can pin her down on her tastes. She laughs as she tells me it is quite eclectic – from rock music by 9 Inch Nails to contemporary classical by the Kronos Quartet.
As distinct from painting, which she finds a solitary pursuit, she enjoys the social aspect that brings people together for the printing process associated with print making.
Amanda is thrilled to be part of the ArtsPrint exhibition at ArtSApace Wonthaggi , along with Bob Hickman, Susan Hall and others. She tells me she thinks the light in ArtSpace is perfect for displaying works. You will have to come along and see for yourself.
The ArtsPrint exhibition opening is on Sunday, September 15, from 2-4pm, and includes a talk by Victorian printmaker Kate Zizys. All welcome. The exhibition continues until October 21.
As distinct from painting, which she finds a solitary pursuit, she enjoys the social aspect that brings people together for the printing process associated with print making.
Amanda is thrilled to be part of the ArtsPrint exhibition at ArtSApace Wonthaggi , along with Bob Hickman, Susan Hall and others. She tells me she thinks the light in ArtSpace is perfect for displaying works. You will have to come along and see for yourself.
The ArtsPrint exhibition opening is on Sunday, September 15, from 2-4pm, and includes a talk by Victorian printmaker Kate Zizys. All welcome. The exhibition continues until October 21.