In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Cobbett, an award-winning textile artist whose stunning embroidered sculptures bring the intricate textures of nature to life. From delicate fungi to organic bark formations, Amanda’s work blurs the line between scientific observation and creative craft. If you’ve ever felt tempted to try your hand at free-hand embroidery, been mesmerised by the beauty of fungi (or just wondered how someone could embroider a toadstool so convincingly it might start sprouting spores), this episode’s for you.
“My father was a magician. That sense of relationship to the world is part of my upbringing for which I am hugely grateful. It’s delightful to see people be delighted.”
- Lissa Hunter
Takeaways from this episode
- Art is a conversation between our head, hands, and heart. Lissa’s approach to art connects technique and thought to create art that is as much about feeling and intention as it is about craftsmanship. Are there parts of your creative practice that feel mechanical? How might you reconnect with the intention behind them?
- There’s power in simplicity. Lissa’s work begins with deceptively simple questions that unfold into rich stories and layered symbolism. Could simplifying your starting point lead you to deeper exploration and expression?
- Our materials tell stories. For Lissa, materials are more than just tools - they carry meaning, evoke memory, and shape narratives. What stories are hidden in the materials you’re drawn to?
Explore the artwork from this episode below
During the live interview, we shared some images of Lissa’s artwork. Since you’re listening to the podcast version, we’ve made these images available for you below.
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