This month, we've reconnected with Amy Wright, an artist with whom we've been fortunate to collaborate twice at Nancybird.

Since our last collaboration, Amy's journey has taken her from art camps in NSW to gallery representation in Los Angeles, Paris, and New York. With pre-dawn painting sessions before school drop-offs, she balances family responsibilities while pursuing her creative vision with determination.

In our conversation, Amy discusses challenges for women artists, pivotal career moments, and the network of female supporters who've helped shape her path. She also reflects on how her textile design background and collaborations with Nancybird have created a meaningful full-circle moment in her creative evolution.

Wow, well its been a very busy and productive time! I was lucky enough to have a wonderful week at Art Camp with Artist Wendy Macdonald up in Thule NSW early in 2024 that was nothing short of transformative for my art practice. Following on from this I had a solo show with my Melbourne Gallery (Brunswick Street Gallery) that was a wonderful success! Off the back of this show and new work created post Art Camp I was invited to join, my now LA representative, Tappan. I have been blown away by the response to my work in the hands of this supportive Gallery. As a result of this success in the USA, I have now Representation in Paris and NY with formidable gallery Amelie Du Chalard.

That’s a tricky one. The art world does still feel like a bit of boys club.  I think there needs to be more acceptance and understanding that many female artists are juggling family life. Still with the social expectation that the woman holds the lion share of the domesticated chores/running of the household and if a mother; the priority, is the children over the art practice. Hours available to be spent in the studio can be limited and rare and as such perhaps women are, by the very act of juggling, deemed as less productive and thus less commercially viable. 

I personally can attest to this. My work day starts between 4-5am so that I can get a few hours in before I have to stop to make the lunches, pack bags and get my daughter to school. My work day ends at 3pm, when its paintbrushes down and a race to school pickup. Art making time is limited and precious.

My proudest moments have been recent with the representation in LA and Paris/NY. After years of being told I should get a ‘proper job’, I now can say this is a ‘proper job’ and I did it!

More than anything, pivotal moments have come about in the face of ‘trust your gut’ decisions I have made.  I’ve always viewed success for myself would be beyond the borders of Australia - Not a view that many have agreed with along the way and have questioned my International focus.  But having grown up in the UK and with an English partner, I have never felt  that the ‘small’  Australian art world was to define me. I was always inspired by and aspired to work globally. 

Trust your gut. ALWAYS

Oddly enough my female manager in Automotive - where I started many years ago.  I had a pretty angsty relationship with her, but she pushed me to take a leap of faith and quit that ‘proper job’. Her pushing me in a direction that didn’t feel right, made me jump. It was the first of many ‘trust your gut’ moments.

All of my galleries - not intentionally - are headed up by Women. Strong women, but strong women with heart and that is who I gravitate too. All the photographers I work with are female, stylists; female. Women have been integral to many aspects of my practice.

Early on, it was leaving VCA to apply for painting at RMIT, I didn’t get in, but I went onto to do a BA in Textile Design at RMIT. In hindsight, that course set me up. It harnessed my creative skills and put them to practical use. It also made me aware of the business of design. If I had spent my uni years studying Fine Arts, I don’t think I would have had the inclination or understanding of the importance of marketing, branding etc and I think my work would be very different.

As a result of this shift from fine art to design, I have worked in various industries - Automotive, forecasting, retail, hospitality, styling, floristry, and the wedding industry. All of which have informed the work that I now produce as a Fine Artist.

As with all industries, things are constantly changing. More and more there are female led galleries that are becoming a powerhouse in the industry. Women support women. We look out for each other in this industry and our sharing and friendship bolster our resolve to strive higher and higher.

Being  a textile designer by trade, working with Nancybird has felt like a full circle moment. I have always loved making a product that people can enjoy and have a connection with. While my wonderful collectors are choosing my work to adorn their walls,  I love working on fashion and homewares products. These are pieces that someone makes a conscious choice to interact with, often on a daily basis. I too when decorating my home, and when buying clothing (unless it’s studio clothes ha!) only want to feel good in them or to have objects in my home that sparks joy.