“There is something warm and honest about the nature of timber”
Amber Simpson’s work is a synthesis of dualistic ideals. It sits fluidly within the contemporary realm, combining highly edited aspects of modernism through marquetry, contrasted with delicate embellishments in oil that are more akin to realism. Her work is instantly recognisable.
The duality of her process extends into her umbrella concept - exploring what it is to bring a vision into being, to manifest. “Thought-becomes-word-becomes-form” - explored in the shift between linear detail, translucency, solid shape and evolved detail. These threads and themes weave across the surface encouraging the eye to connect what was once disconnected creating deeper piece specific concepts.
The core of her work focuses predominantly on still life interiors which become a metaphor for the “interior of self”. In her past professional work Amber came to understand and express people’s emotional connection to the interiors they lived in and to help them actualize their personal, creative and safe spaces. Introspectively she sees the spaces people dwell within as being very much connected to their interior self. She uses timber marquetry to create shape and composition driven modernist interior settings, then embellishes with delicate and detailed overlays in oil. The embellishments may be objects, artefacts or sometimes creatures that rupture the realist construction. The collection of objects is sometimes orderly and sometimes magical. The oil details introduce a complexity to the work that shifts the focus between the linear and translucent, to colour and realism.
Amber continues to experiment on the fringe of her practice. Deepening her concepts and expanding the breadth of materials used. Discarded materials feature heavily within this work, as too the concept of “Play” which the artist believes is crucial to an evolving practice as well as a beautiful integration into a life well lived.
The Impermanence
of
All Things
“My timber collection was born from discarded material and I find great contentment in re-imagining what could have been wasted. To create and enjoy beautiful, enduring timber pieces can remind us to transcend the everyday and reconnect.”
Amber Simpson
Life is Still
Lady in a Dress
In The Still of The Night
cv
Born
Bowral, NSW
Education
Advanced Diploma of Applied and Visual Art,
North Adelaide School of Art, SA
Solo Exhibitions
2023 “Interior Still”, Revival Art and Design Gallery, Brisbane
2022 “La Petite Solo in Lilac”, Revival Art and Design Gallery, Brisbane
2021 “Dwell”, Revival Art and Design Gallery, Brisbane
2020 “The Veneer Suite”, Tiny Tree Gallery, Brisbane
“In-between Days”, Hell’s Kitchen Gallery, Brisbane
2018 “Interface”, Salisbury Studios, Brisbane
“Retrospective”, Salisbury Studios, Brisbane
2004 “Chapters”, Cooroy Butter Factory Gallery, Sunshine Coast
2003 “Identity, Image and a Parable of the First”, Fusions Gallery, Sunshine Coast
Group Exhibitions
2024 Melbourne Affordable Art Fair, Revival Art and Design
Sydney Affordable Art Fair with Revival Art and Design
Brisbane Affordable Art Fair with Revival Art and Design
2023 Summer Soiree Group Show, Albion Art Hub, Brisbane
‘Fifty 50’, Revival Art and Design Gallery, Brisbane
Melbourne Affordable Art Fair with Revival Art and Design
Sydney Affordable Art Fair, Revival Art and Design
Grammar Art Show 2023, Brisbane
2022 Summer Soiree Group Show, Albion Art Hub, Brisbane
Melbourne Affordable Art Fair, Revival Art and Design
Toowoomba Grammer Art Show 2022, Toowoomba
Spring Mini Series, Revival Art and Design Gallery, Brisbane
2021 “Hometown”, Albion Art Hub, Brisbane
Toowoomba Grammer Art Show 2021, Toowoomba
2020 “Loom”, Side Gallery, Brisbane
Summer Soiree Group Show, Albion Art Hub, Brisbane
“Satellite: FOUND”, Side Gallery, Brisbane
“Ildewild”, Side Gallery, Brisbane
Isolation Group Show, Revival Art and Design Gallery, Brisbane
2019 Monster Creative Pop-Up, Vacant Assembly, Brisbane
Petite Pieces, Aspire Gallery, Brisbane
2018 Art and Design Pop-Up, Onespace Gallery, Brisbane
Summer Show, Corridor Gallery, Brisbane
2017 Summer Show, Corridor Gallery, Brisbane
2002 “Same Time, Same Place”, Noosa Regional Gallery, Sunshine Coast
2001 “Realization”, CSIT Art School, Sunshine Coast
2000 “Wildcard”, NASA Art Gallery, Adelaide
Awards
2001 CSIT Acquisition Award, Sunshine Coast
Collections
CSIT Art Collection
Private Collections in Australia, New Zealand, US and Singapore
Professional Career and Art Related Employment
2021 - 2024 Founder and Custodian of Chrome Street Studios, Salisbury
2005 - 2024 Visual Merchandiser, Interior Decorator, Interior Stylist, Product Stylist.
Small Works
Thank You
for
Visiting
