Art is my way of surviving. Choosing to embrace joy is my act of defiance.
Gentle Signals
My work grows from learning to listen differently.
After my injury, my body became an unrecognisable territory – a map of complexities even experts struggled to chart. The world outside became a sensory assault; everything from the angle of light to the sharpness of birdsong became overwhelming data points. But over time, I began to reframe this as information.
I’ve come to see my body as an ecosystem, much like this landscape. To survive within it, I have to chart more than just terrain. I try to find the coordinates of my own recovery in the gentle signals that help me navigate my body through the day.
Walking the paddocks of our family homestead in the biodiverse foothills, I map seasonal growth, bird flight, my health, and the weight of my footfall. These rhythms mark changes in light, energy, and capacity; they are my practical guides, telling me when to rest or shield, and when it is safe to wander – and to wonder.
I navigate in layers. I map the property through GIS systems, the verticality of the trees, the flight paths of birds, and my own footsteps. The property becomes quadrants I loop through as I walk. Each section marking a phase in my body and the environment.
I try to find the coordinates of my own recovery in the gentle signals that help me navigate my body through the day.
Little sparks of joy are found in the colourful feathers, flowers and seasonal changes I find on my walks.
In my work, these layers sit like a staccato pulse; distinct, stacked, yet somehow in harmony. These aren’t just maps; they capture my physical head postures – the distinct ways I must hold myself to process data while bracing against the world.
Little sparks of joy are found in the colourful feathers, flowers and seasonal changes I find on my walks. These spots of vibrant colour inform my jewellery and creative process, rooted in observation and beauty; but grown from survival.
Sometimes, one may only see the singular bloom or the loudest birdsong because they catch the attention. But a landscape, like a body, has layers that hover under the surface, requiring a ‘bird’s eye view’ to truly comprehend.
I have distilled the colours of these walks into a personal palette: the bright yellow pop of wattle, the pink of shed bark, the flash of red-tailed black cockatoos, and peach sunsets. I remind myself not to forget the quiet foundation – the grey of the sand, the yellowing grasses, the vast blue and night skies; the boundary fences that hold the space.
This new body has taught me to seek and cherish tiny moments of joy, however fleeting, to nourish my soul.
To a casual observer, this focus can be confusing; to the professionals screening me for medical PTSD, it is a sign of resilience.
Art is my way of surviving.
Choosing to embrace joy is my act of defiance.
This new body has taught me to seek and cherish tiny moments of joy, however fleeting, to nourish my soul.
List of Works
First blush – Q1 light
1. Amanda Alderson and Harry Alderson
First blush – Q1 light
(2026)
acrylic paint, wood
120cm high; 60cm x 50cm wide
$950 (jewellery not included)
1a. Amanda Alderson
Calm
(2024)
925 sterling silver, champagne CZ gemstone
Size O
$245
1b. Amanda Alderson
Empowerment
(2024)
925 sterling silver, lilac CZ gemstone
Size P
$245
1c. Amanda Alderson
Recharge Rejoice
(2026)
925 sterling silver, rhodolite gemstone
Size M
$245
1d. Amanda Alderson
Harmony
(2024)
925 sterling silver, vibrant orange CZ gemstone
Size O
$245
1e. Amanda Alderson
Balance / Courage
(2026)
925 sterling silver, deep purple CZ gemstone
Size O
$245
1f. Amanda Alderson
I will heal
(2024)
925 sterling silver, dark olive CZ gemstone
Size N
$245
1g. Amanda Alderson
Courage / I am worthy
(2024)
925 sterling silver, golden yellow CZ gemstone
Size T
$245
First blush – Q2 energy
2. Amanda Alderson and Harry Alderson
First blush – Q2 energy
2026
acrylic paint, wood
115cm x 60cm x 60cm
$950 (jewellery not included)
2a. Amanda Alderson
Inner strength
2026
925 sterling silver, brass, ruby (lab) gemstone
M size
$265
2b. Amanda Alderson
Loop
2026
brass
K size
$75
Amanda Alderson
Little sparks – hovea
2026
brass, copper tube, deep purple CZ gemstone
K size
$120
2c. Amanda Alderson
Little sparks – wing tips
2026
copper, vibrant orange and black CZ gemstones
O size
$125
2d. Amanda Alderson
Loop
2026
brass
L size
$75
Amanda Alderson
Little sparks – wattle
2026
copper, light peridot CZ gemstone
L size
$130
2e. Amanda Alderson
Loop
2026
brass
N size
$75
Amanda Alderson
Capsule – rewild
2026
copper, brass
$120
2f. Amanda Alderson
Little sparks – feather
2026
copper, brass, vibrant orange CZ gemstone
O size
$130
Amanda Alderson
Loop
2026
brass
O size
$75
First blush – Q3 movement
3. Amanda Alderson and Harry Alderson
First blush – Q3 movement
2026
acrylic paint, wood
110cm x 60cm x 60cm
$950 (jewellery not included)
3a. Amanda Alderson
Still
2026
925 sterling silver, garnet (natural) gemstone
Q size
$265
3b. Amanda Alderson
Little sparks – trust myself
2026
925 sterling silver, dark red CZ gemstone
P size
$175
Amanda Alderson
Capsule
2026
copper, brass
P size
$120
3c. Amanda Alderson
(symbols)
2026
925 sterling silver
N size
$175
3d. Amanda Alderson
Little sparks – enjoy, flow
2026
925 sterling silver, pink corundum (lab) gemstone
N size
$195
Amanda Alderson
Little Sparks -breathe
2026
925 sterling silver, ruby (lab) gemstone
N size
$195
3e. Amanda Alderson
Wayfind
2024
925 sterling silver, pink CZ gemstone
Q size
$245
3f. Amanda Alderson
Deep strength
2026
925 sterling silver, brass, green tourmaline (lab) gemstone
O size
$265
First blush – Q4 capacity
4. Amanda Alderson and Harry Alderson
First blush – Q4 capacity
2026
acrylic paint, wood
105cm x 60cm x 60cm
$950
(jewellery not included)
4a. Amanda Alderson
Wayfind
2026
925 sterling silver, champagne cz gemstone
S size
$245
4b. Amanda Alderson
Inner balance
2026
925 sterling silver, sky blue topaz (lab) gemstone
N size
$265
4c. Amanda Alderson
Little sparks – dandelion
2026
925 sterling silver, golden yellow CZ gemstone
M size
$150
Amanda Alderson
Capsule
2026
copper
M size
$120
Amanda Alderson
Loop
2026
brass
M size
$75
4d. Amanda Alderson
Little sparks – self belief
2024
925 sterling silver, light peridot CZ gemstone
L size
$175
Amanda Alderson
Capsule – rewild
2026
copper, brass
L size
$120
4e. Amanda Alderson
Capsule – protect
2026
copper
N size
$140
4f. Amanda Alderson
Capsule – joyful
2026
copper, vibrant orange, bright white and champagne CZ gemstones
P size
$190
Vertical
5. Amanda Alderson and Harry Alderson
Shielded lights
2026
acrylic paint, wood
60cm 50cm x 25cm
$475
6. Amanda Alderson and Harry Alderson
Birds eye view
2026
acrylic paint, wood
65cm 50cm x 25cm
$475
7. Amanda Alderson and Harry Alderson
Vertical canopy
2026
acrylic paint, wood
70cm 50cm x 25cm
$475
8. Amanda Alderson and Harry Alderson
Hovering skies
2026
acrylic paint, wood
75cm 50cm x 25cm
$475
Horizon
9. Amanda Alderson
Navigate in layers
2026
acrylic paint, wood
30cm x 30cm
$235
10. Amanda Alderson
Gentle boundaries
2026
acrylic paint, wood
30cm x 25cm
$235
11. Amanda Alderson
Quiet foundation
2026
acrylic paint, wood
30cm x 25cm
$235
12. Amanda Alderson
Evening flight paths
2026
acrylic paint, wood
20cm x 30cm
$235
13. Amanda Alderson
Pop of wattle
2026
acrylic paint, wood
20cm x 30cm
$235
14. Amanda Alderson
Mapping seasons
2026
acrylic paint, wood
30cm x 20cm
$235
15. Amanda Alderson
Staccato pulse
2026
acrylic paint, wood
20cm x 30cm
$235
16. Amanda Alderson
Hover
2026
acrylic paint, wood
30cm x 20cm
$235
17. Amanda Alderson
Under the surface
2026
acrylic paint, wood
25cm x 30cm
$235
18. Amanda Alderson
Stacked harmonies
2026
acrylic paint, wood
30cm x 20cm
$235
19, Amanda Alderson
Structured movement
2026
acrylic paint, wood
30cm x 20cm
$235