Creativity
Gef’s 30 Under 30 2024 Winners: Q&A with Amy Price
Ten categories. Thirty young visionaries making their mark on the Isle of Man. Introducing the 2024 #Gef30Under30 winners: the next generation of our island’s leaders.
The Isle of Man Arts Council Creativity category winners are some of our island’s most artistic young minds — expressing themselves and inspiring their creative communities, no matter which medium they choose.
What is your name and age?
Amy Price, age 29.
Job title or role in the community?
Woven Textiles Designer at Amy Kay Woven Textiles.
How did you start your career or role in the community?
I have always loved being creative. Being able to make something out of yarn, fabric, metal, wood and many more materials has always interested me, whether thats working in 2-D or 3-D, looking at the composition, texture or form. I started my creative journey at the Isle of Man College where I studied an Extended Diploma in Art and Design. Throughout this time I was able to experiment and work on lots of different projects in many different areas of the creative world, and it was then where I fell in love with textiles. I loved working with all the different textures and loved that it could be so versatile. For my final project, I produced printed textiles. I worked with screen prints creating my own patterns, and then made cushions, I reupholstered a chair and stool, and printed wall art.
I knew I wanted to take my studies further in textiles, so I went to Loughborough University where I studied Textiles Innovation and Design. I had the most amazing four years getting to practice what I loved every day. In my first year I was able to have a taster in the three different textiles that the university offered: printed textiles, multimedia textiles and woven textiles. I loved all three of them, but there is something special about woven textiles. In my second year I specialised into woven textiles and I was able to learn everything from dying yarns, winding warps, setting up the loom and weaving fabric. I was able to experiment with textures, colours, patterns and different materials to create woven textiles.
In my third year of university, I was lucky enough to be able to have a year out in the creative industry. I worked for Handweavers and Gallery London, Claire Christian Couture IOM, and The Workbench London. Each placement was very different and it enabled me to have a better understanding of the creative industry. When I went back to university for my fourth and final year I had so many different ideas from this time out. For my final project I was inspired by the graphic and decorative architecture of London, producing my collection of fabrics for use in luxury womenswear, with a bold range of colours and fabrics and a diverse assortment of yarns and processes.
I graduated with the first class honours degree in 2017. When I returned to the Isle of Man I wanted to carry on with my textiles, so I used the skills I developed at university to build Amy Kay Woven Textiles. I received funding from the Isle of Man Arts Council to help purchase a loom and everything I needed to start weaving again. From then I have slowly built up my business. Drawing inspiration from our beautiful island, I weave and produce products varying from headbands, scarves, cushions, bags and earrings, and I have now created two collaborations with Manx National Heritage.
In one sentence, summarise your journey so far as a young and successful person under 30.
Rewarding, challenging and lots of ups and downs.
Tell us about your business/industry, is there something interesting about it that most people wouldn’t expect?
I mainly use lambswool, but some of my headbands have been woven with Manx Loaghtan.
Have you experienced any hurdles in your career or community efforts and if so, how did you overcome them?
It’s the constant battle of thinking you’re not good enough. Social media is a great platform for sharing your creativity with the world, but it can also be very challenging seeing everybody else’s work and thinking ‘how am I going to be as good as them?’ You always have to believe in yourself, believe that you can do it, and if you work hard, it will come.
Tell us about why you think you won in the Creativity category?
I feel that I’m promoting contemporary woven textiles on the island, showing that it can be fun and colourful.
Who are your role models, either on-island or off, in your sector or outside of it?
When I was on placement year I worked for a company called The Workbench London. This business was set up by two jewellery designers, Katie – Crux London and Kirstie Maclaren Jewellery. These two ladies were so inspiring with their determination, passion for their work and ability to always stay positive.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Success doesn’t always come to everyone. You have to work hard for it.
What do you wish you knew when you were getting started in your career?
Be more open-minded, things won’t always go the way you plan.
What are your plans for the future?
My dream for the future would be for one day to have my own weaving studio where I could teach woven textiles to others. For now I’m just going to continue to grow my small business and have fun.
What changes do you hope to see in your sector or community in the coming years?
I would love to see more young creators take up woven textiles.
What, for you, are the benefits of staying on or moving back to the island for young people under 30?
We have a great creative community, it’s a beautiful place to live with so much inspiration!
What does being a Gef’s 30 Under 30 winner mean to you?
It’s amazing! It’s so lovely to be a part of Gef’s 30 Under 30 community and to be recognised for the work that I have done, it’s definitely given me a confidence boost and I’m really proud of myself.
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