Amanda Gardner June 2, 2026

Helloooo!

It’s been a good few months since my last update! The year is sliding by so quickly and truthfully I have started and then stopped a number of different art projects. This was of course a bit of a bummer so I have since hunkered down to spend an extended period of time in quiet and reflection.

Life goes on, and the world outside waits for no one. Even so, my aim is to approach it gently, relax further into my days, and slowly return to some making, no longer pressuring myself to do more or be more.

I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to take this time for myself, and I hope you too are able to take some time to relax in a way that works best for you.

Amanda

Postcards

Taking inspiration from Ellsworth Kelly, I’ve been making postcards. The artist made over 400 postcard collages, sending a few to his friends but in the end keeping most of them himself. Some of the collages were preparation for larger works, while all are infused with a wonderful sense of playfulness. In 2022 Blanton Museum opened Ellsworth Kelly: Postcards and if you’re interested in more, here is a review of the exhibition.

Lately, with the intention of injecting some playfulness into my making prompted by Ellsworth Kelly’s postcard collages, I’ve been repurposing my own photographs, revisiting my travels and using up my stash of National Geographic magazines. There is a selection on my website if you wanted to pop over for a look.

Artist Residency

In August I will be participating in a group artist residency at the Dayboro Showgrounds in the big Pavilion. Spearheaded by Kylie Harries and joined by Mel Brady and Shan Michaels, we’ll be occupying the space for two weeks. My aim is to gather up and test new ideas and new ways of making, hopefully expanding the mediums with which I make collages. I have no idea what will happen with these experiments however, one month after the residency finishes we’ll be holding a showing in situ. I’ll be sending out more info on that as the time gets closer.

Fresh Eyes 2025

A recent highlight was the City of Moreton Bay acquiring two of my collages from the Fresh Eyes exhibition at the Redcliffe Art Gallery. The commission to participate in Fresh Eyes 2025 was like a gift that kept on giving. It offered me an opportunity to see a project through from concept to exhibition and enabled me to extend my capabilities into new ways of thinking and working.

A big thank you to the Redcliffe Art Gallery and to the City of Moreton Bay for their continued support of local artists. Thank you to the curators, gallery staff, mentors, and fellow artists, not to mention family and friends, for all your help and encouragement.

Connections

As you may know a group of fellow artists and friends have been meeting monthly for four years now to talk about all things art and art making. artLAB is an important way to connect and has been such a joy to me. It offers the opportunity to discuss interesting arty subjects, learn from each other and spend time with like minded people.

This newsletter is also a way for me to connect, and though I do still use instagram to post information about upcoming events, I only pop in very occasionally now. So if we miss each other on socials and we can’t catch up in person, I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to reply directly to this email — it is the best way to get in touch.

Thanks for reading and if the stars align, I hope to see you soon!

amandaigardner.com | @_amandaivy_