To the Stars and Back

Amanda Harrison

I create contemporary sculptures in ceramics, bronze and marble from my Sydney studio. My previous work in writing and graphic design taught me to seek simplicity and this philosophy forms the basis of my sculptural style.

I explore the essence of a shape, both human and abstract, and reduce the form to the essential shape and line. My main focus is the human form, especially the relationship between parents and children.

I love exploring surface texture which both highlights the shape of the piece and gives it depth and personality. For me, texture also marks a piece with a 'made-by-hand' stamp.

I was born in London and grew up in the Blue Mountains and Sydney's North Shore. Sculpture has never been far from my hands, including a major work in my final year of high school and a clay animation film during university studies.

Whilst travelling and working, I completed a Certificate of Sculpture course in the evenings at the Kensington and Chelsea College, London. Back in Sydney, during careers in writing and graphic design, I continued to build my sculptural practice through self-education, studio workshops and TAFE courses under the guidance of well-known artists.

Ten years ago, I finally set up my own studio in Greenwich, Sydney, where I now work in clay, wax and marble. I fire my ceramic pieces in my electric kiln (solar-powered) and send my waxes to the foundry to be cast into metal.

I'm currently on the committee for The Sculptors Society, and have been the convenor of the annual Greenwich Village Arts Trail for 11 years.

Prizes

2022    1st in Abstract - Sydney Royal Show
2021    Beach Hotel Prize - Sculpture Bermagui
2021    1st in Figurative Sculpture - Sydney Royal Show
2021    2nd in Abstract Sculpture - Sydney Royal Show
2021    HC - Ewart Art Prize, Willoughby Sydney
2020   People's Choice Prize - Bowral Sculpture Show
2020   Acquisitive Prize 'Fully Resolved Sculpture' - Sculpture Bermagui

2020   Acquisitive Prize 'Small Sculpture' - Sculpture in the Gardens
2020   Finalist - Sculpture in the Vineyard - Wollombi
2020   Finalist - Ravenswood Women's Art Prize
2019   HC (Raku Firing) - Sydney Royal Show
2019   Emerging Artist Award - Sculpture For Clyde
2018   People's Choice Prize - Bowral Sculpture Show
2018   HC - Camden Art Prize 2018 - Camden, Sydney
2018   Sculpture Prize - The Sculptors Society Awards
2017
2018   People's Choice Indoor - Sculpture Bermagui

2018   1st in Figurative Sculpture - Sydney Royal Show
2018   People's Choice Indoor - Sculpture in the Valley
2018   1st in Sculpture - Ewart Art Prize
2018   People's Choice Indoor - Sculpture on Clyde