Amber Packer-Hughes

I was born in Taunton and raised in rural Somerset, where my main focus for many years was music. I spent a long period with the civil service, until having a baby prompted a career rejuvenation!

I then spent a year studying painting and drawing with Sue Luxton, and a year on the Art & Design Access course at SCAT, where I was awarded a Student of the Year award in June 2006. I just completed an FdA Fine Art Degree course with distinction at SCAT. I plan to return in a year or two to take the BA final year.

For the last few years I have been experimenting with digital photography, creating a series of images based on abstracted fireworks. My main body of college work consists of three dimensional installations on the theme of memory, femininity and family. Sadly, these do not translate to the gallery environment!

I have recently exhibited in and co-ordinated an outdoor sculpture group exhibit at the Taunton Flower Show, and had a group show in Fitzhead for 10 Parishes Festival 07. I regularly showed work in Roots, Bath Place, Taunton, and have had work on display at Moorkhana in Wiveliscombe.

This year I will be exhibiting again in Fitzhead during 10 Parishes 09, and in ongoing shows at the Somerset Conference Centre at Somerset College.

Access in Art & Design - Somerset College, 2006 Fine Art FdA Degree (distinction) - Somerset College, 2007-08

Exhibitions - group shows

Roots, Bath Place, Taunton - summer 2006, Winter 2006, Summer 2007.

Taunton Flower Show, outdoor sculpture - August 2007

10 Parishes Festival, Tithe Barn, Fitzhead - September 2007

Appledore Visual Arts Festival, Degree Show - May 2008

Hot House Group Shows, Somerset College Conference Centre - 2008 - ongoing