20-year-old Bath Spa University student Amelia Anderson has been announced as the nationwide winner of the prestigious Silk Bureau 2017 Print Competition.
Amelia’s repeat print pattern was inspired by her favourite flower, the Dahlia, which reminds her of her parents’ back garden in Alton, Hampshire.
She handpainted the flowers with vivid navy blues, hot pinks and yellows, and used tea bags to stain the leaves to achieve her winning autumnal design.
Amelia’s work was praised by judges at the Silk Bureau, a leading digital textile printing company based in Worcestershire, for the intricate hand drawn elements and the composition and colour choices were said to be extremely well considered.
Amelia, who is a third year at Bath Spa University studying Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors BA (Hons), won the chance to see her fabric being printed at Silk Bureau’s print works, as well as being treated to a tour of the factory floor.
She will be showing her winning fabric among other works at the Bath School of Art and Design undergraduate degree show, which will take place in Bath in June.
She will join hundreds of other final year art and design students who will show their works during the week-long exhibit.
Amelia said: “I’m delighted my design was chosen as the winner. I was pleased with the overall design and it meant a lot to me as it reminded me of my childhood and my home garden.
“I enjoy painting flowers and plants and recently I’ve been working on a pattern involving humming birds and macaws in flight – I enjoy capturing movement in my works.
“It was great to see my fabric being printed right in front of me. I’ve still got it rolled up in my studio – I can’t wait to use it, perhaps to cover a high backed chair when I get the time.”
Amelia, who will graduate this year, hopes to continue her success in patterns and pursue a career in fabric design. She eventually wants to own her own design company.
Amelia continued: “The course at Bath Spa has been fantastic. During the three years I have been able to experiment with a wide variety of methods including print, weave, embroidery, and knit which has broadened my skillset.
“The course has been invaluable in teaching me the practical side of textile design and the facilities, especially the dye and print labs, have been fantastic. It was also really useful to have lessons in business planning and strategy. I’ve learnt so much!”
The Bath School of Art and Design undergraduate degree show will showcase exciting and diverse works of art to the public at Bath Spa University’s Sion Hill campus.
The work of the graduating students from the Contemporary Art Practice, Creative Arts, Fashion Design, Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Photography, Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors and Three Dimensional Design courses will be on display from Saturday 10th June until Sunday 18th June.
