Born in warm sunny Malaysia, Amanda Tomasoa’s artistic career began in Indonesia back in 1995. Initial inspiration came from a piece of artwork her sister Did had made and given to her as a parting gift when Amanda left home to live in Indonesia. That simple gift would pilot Amanda’s career in creative arts.
In Indonesia
Her major break came when a large recording label twice commissioned her to create 10 works for their promotional needs. Emboldened by her success, she ventured into the city of Jakarta and pitched a sale to a successful giftware company. Soon her art were sold on t-shirts, and other gift items.
Life was good and Amanda had a lot of success selling her art works.
Unfortunately the political and economical situation in Indonesia crashed with President Suharto’s downfall in 1998. Amanda’s family of three managed to escape to New Zealand to start their lives anew. In New Zealand
When her producer friend challenged her to paint, Amanda found a way to do so despite working a 60 hours week as a Sales Consultant. Finally in Oct 2004, Amanda decided to do a Diploma course with The Learning Connexion in Wellington to further enhance her skills and graduated the next year. She had her first Wellington exhibition in May 2006 where Jack Yan, LUCIRE's (NZ's Global Fashion magazine) publisher attended her opening.
Since then, Amanda has sold her works to clients in Europe, USA, NZ, Asia and the list is growing. Her art has caught the attention of the Director of AGORA in New York City and has been invited to exhibit there. Her works are on NZ's paid TV's Living Channel and Amanda has been approached by an art professional to be representated globally taking her works to the next level.
Meanwhile you can also catch her art works on the Saatchi-gallery site in UK.
Amanda's professional network:
Amanda At Saatchi-UK
Mairangi Arts Centre member
Artist Alliance member
Marco Trust's New Kid on the Block Opening 2008
The Green Ribbons Award , Wellington Town Hall, 2008
Trade Aid Remuera (Part of the World Environment Day Event) 2008
Harrisons Gallery, Bay of Plenty (Current)
Project Hope Fund Raiser for Cancer Centre 2007
Woman's Day Art, Gisborne 2007
Solo exhibition, Reef Gallery 2007
Treehouse Gallery Dec 2006
'Just as I am' Solo exhibition at Superpollo restaurant, 2006
"Night Out' Mt Eden,Dec 2006
St Mary's Celebration of Arts, School fund raiser, 2006
Solo Exhibition, Naxos Arts Exhibit , Wellington 2006
Grace Joel, Auckland Easts Arts, St Heliers 2006
Emerge Gallery, Wellington 2006
The Original Art Sale, 2006
The Upstairs Gallery, Whitianga 2006 (till Feb 2006)
Superpollo, Dominion RD, Auckland NZ, 2005- 2006
Ariki Gallery, Wellington 2005- 2006
The NZ Affordable Art show, 2005, 2007
Mazda Emerging Artist Award, Hilton Hotel, 2005
Solo exhibition: Bon Trading Co ltd, Newmarket, 2005
Aletia Hudson's Fund Raiser for Cancer drugs, Alleluya Cafe, 2005
Blockhouse Bay School's Fund Raiser, 2005
Summer Fling, Artstation, Parnell 2005
Heart of Arts , Parnell, 2005
Strathallan Art Exhibition, Auckland, 2005
The Original Art Sale, 2005, 2006
Cafe Verde, Wellington 2005
Solo exhibition, Purple Tomato Art Studio Gallery Dec 2004
Other experiences
Solo exhibition covered by WDUB TV on Sky TV, 2004
Press release Central Leader, December 2004
Radio interviews for Radio New Zealand for various programs
Art appeared on front cover in the first issue of AZURE July 2005
Appeared on the Holmes show
Overseas Interview with STAR newspaper Malaysia
Interviewed by Central Leader 2005
Midweek Times Interview, October 2005
Sky TV WDUB TV Interview Oct 2005
Art features on Global Business Women's network 2006 - 2007
Interview with IBall newspaper 2007
Radio Interviews on Radio NZ, Saturday Morning with Kim Hill
