Amanda I’Anson Textile and Mixed Media Artist Born in Brighton, Amanda grew up in London, where she completed a degree in Social Psychology. After qualifying as a teacher, Amanda worked in schools in the UK, Singapore, and Thailand. She has travelled extensively in SE Asia and India, and has spent time living in Japan and France. Now happily settled in the Midlands, Amanda runs her Textile Arts Studio in Daventry, Northants. Art and creativity have been a constant theme throughout Amanda's life. Growing up in London with an artist mother, she was surrounded by drawings and paintings. Amanda regularly visited galleries and exhibitions, and with a plentiful supply of art materials at hand, was always encouraged to explore her creativity. Whilst studying at university, she took courses in painting, drawing, and printmaking. She later trained as a primary school teacher and inevitably specialised in Art, Craft and Display. Amanda's teaching career took her on several overseas contracts, where she continued her art journey. Holidays and weekends were spent travelling, taking art classes, collecting art and textiles, and immersing herself in the local arts and culture. It was during three years in Japan that Amanda decided to focus on developing her skills in Textile Art and studied Japanese calligraphy, dyeing, printmaking and weaving. On her return to UK, Amanda enrolled at West Dean College on a Foundation Diploma course in Art and Design. She found herself drawn to weaving in particular, so completed further training in creative tapestry weaving and took with a professional weaver in Totnes. Amanda then discovered Japanese SAORI weaving. In this type of weaving, there is no pattern or design, and the looms are designed to facilitate creativity and self-expression in the weaving process. Amanda found this fascinating and went back to Japan to train in the SAORI tradition. She became an authorised instructor of SAORI weaving in 2015, and the following year opened one of just four SAORI Studios in the UK. Now Amanda continues practicing her unique style of weaving, whilst holding regular workshops. As an instructor, she inspires others to use their creativity to produce beautiful and individual woven cloth. Her own weaving is textural, richly coloured and sculptural, using a variety of unexpected materials, found objects and techniques. She creates cloth which reflects her experiences, inspirations, and explorations. In Japan they say, ‘you weave yourself’! Amanda is particularly inspired by the marks, colours and textures of nature: whether it be interesting coastlines, the reflections and ripples in water or weathered stone or rust. Her curiosity and urge to explore new ideas mean that her work is constantly changing, and she maintains her passion and excitement with every new creation. Amanda's work has been exhibited in Whitchurch Silk Mill and Rugby Museum and Art Gallery. She also regularly exhibits during Warwickshire Open Studios, Art in the Park at Leamington Spa, and at the Textile Fair at Compton Verney. Amanda I’Anson BSc(Hons), PGTC, MA(Ed), FDAD
