Paint
When working with paint, utilizing a myriad of sources, she intertwines her own personal nostalgia of spaces and places (pleasant memories, photographs, stories) with more collective elements (colours, objects). She uses these references simultaneously whilst painting with oils, for example listening to audio recordings of summer memories whilst painting. She also write on the paintings, extracting words from the audio, and working directly onto the canvas to build on this feeling of nostalgia.
“The work is important to me as it is emblematic of the freedom I feel in the summer, freedom away from the normality of a work schedule, a time where I can wander on long walks in the mountains, or drink coffee all morning”
Cannings on her 2020 series, The Nostalgia of Summer
Her interest in nostalgia stemmed from her profound experience of studying in Spain for the year, experiencing endless summer weather and a Mediterranean way of life, and thus an ever-longing for a place elsewhere. The work becomes a longing for the preservation of another life, an ulterior homeland.
Video
When working with video, her practice is more centred around creating something that represents her perspective of the world. Deploying a film style from this up close and personal perspective, the story telling and the characters create a real sense of authenticity, humour and even drama. Cannings’ degree course and study abroad year have heavily influenced her practice and given her the confidence and skills to continue as a freelance artist, aspiring to work on projects and residencies around the world.
EDUCATION
First Class Honours, BA Fine Art at Loughborough University, 2016 – 2020
Diploma in International Studies – Universidad de Zaragoza, 2018 – 2019
Distinction, Diploma in Art Foundation Studies – Parc Menai, North Wales, 2015 – 2016
AWARDS
Loughborough University Short Film competition – First Place – 2020
Holly Bush Emerging Woman Painter Prize – Finalist – 2020
AIS Open – Finalist – 2020
INTERVIEWS
Cel Del Nord, Artist Residency, Amber Cannings https://celdelnord.com/artists-interviews/amber-cannings
Lockdown talk, Loughborough University, Loughborough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYoZ0oZnFtg&feature=emb_logo – 2020
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Artist Resident, Cel Del Nord, Orista, Spain – May 2022
Lockdown talk, Loughborough University, Loughborough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYoZ0oZnFtg&feature=emb_logo – 2020
Volunteer at Surface Gallery, Nottingham – 2017 – 2020
Arts and Crafts Lead at Camp Lincoln, New Hampshire, USA – 2018