We Can Change showcases a reworked large felt bowl from my collection, originally titled "urchin" and exhibited at the Salmon Arm Arts Centre in 2014 with the Art Felt Collaborative. Recently, I have been using past works that remain in my collection and reinventing them into something new, challenging my notion of change in general. How can I be living more sustainability? I asked myself this question, found my answer; change things you can, starting with things I already have. Very intentionally I decided to tackle my studio and some of the past art I still have and reinvent them. I am attracted to using less in my life in various areas, consciously creating less waste in general. Holding myself more responsible with decisions in my art practice seemed a way I could genuinely challenge myself at the same time speak to a broader audience about the topic of waste and reuse. What better way than to use past works in reinvention? We can all play a more active role in creating less waste. Then I was exploring ocean life, this work represented a sea urchin shell and informed much of my felt works over the past decade, highlighting form and function still continues to present as meaningful elements found in most everything I do. The imaginings from my childhood, diving in the ocean on Vancouver Island, experiencing the everlasting impression of raw nature, West Coast Canada. Reworking past works and changing the meaning of what something was into a new engaging contemporary work that holds me accountable feels good. We can change if we choose to, activating our internal awareness of the world. I garden, forage, and collect whenever I spend time outdoors. This process of gathering and using clippings from my surroundings in nature has become more and more present in my artist practice.

Amy has dedicated herself to her art practice since graduating from Emily Carr University of Art + Design, 2003, she is now based in Kelowna, BC. Amy is a mixed media fibre artist with a passion for learning and experimenting with materials. Through application of new material combinations from those gathered in her urban neighbourhood. She methodically arranges her materials in a lively way. Using wool fibre and plants her work she investigates ideas about how to preserve natural resources and coexistence with nature. Amy has exhibited throughout the Okanagan and enjoys continuing to find new nooks and crannies around the area.

If you would like to learn more about Amy’s work, visit her website or follow her on Instagram.