Explore My Creative Practice
I’m Amanda Sutherland, a Tasmanian artist, actor and creator working across painting, photography, theatre and film.
My creative practice takes me in different directions, and each discipline offers another way to explore the things that interest me. Whether you’re here to discover my artwork, explore my performance experience or find professional information, you can follow the links below.
Discover • Create • Share
I’ve always created, although it took returning to university later in life for me to recognise that making things wasn’t simply something I enjoyed. It was part of who I am.
For a long time, I expected creativity to fit into neat categories. I’m learning that mine doesn’t. Painting, photography and performance give me different ways to explore the things that catch my attention. What connects them isn’t necessarily what the finished work looks like, but the curiosity that made me start. Sometimes an idea begins with something I’ve noticed in the landscape. Other times, it’s a character, an unusual object or simply wondering what might happen if I try something different.
I’m drawn to changing light, colour, familiar surroundings and the little details that can easily go unnoticed. Ideas about mental health and self-acceptance also find their way into some of my work. I’m still discovering how these interests connect and what they might become. Experimentation is an important part of that process. I don’t always know where an idea will take me, and I’m becoming more comfortable with that. Some things work, others don’t, but every experience teaches me something.
Sharing my work is another part of the enjoyment. A painting might remind someone of a favourite place, a photograph might encourage them to look at something differently, or a performance might connect with an experience of their own. I can’t control what someone takes from something I’ve created, and I don’t think I want to. I enjoy knowing that the same work can mean something different to each person who encounters it.
Half the fun is in the trying.
Let’s Connect
I’m always interested in opportunities to exhibit my artwork, contribute to theatre and film productions, or collaborate on creative projects.
If you’d like to discuss an opportunity, enquire about my work or find out more about my experience, I’d love to hear from you.