Amy Vidler is not your typical artist.

Having called Newcastle home for the past six years, this Queensland-born creative has carved out a niche for herself, crafting bespoke fibreglass pieces that blur the lines between art and utility.

From ambient lighting to experimental sculptures, Vidler’s work is as much about the tactile experience as it is about the visual impact. Her journey, however, is a testament to how passion, patience, and a bit of serendipity can lead to a flourishing career.

Before fibreglass became her medium of choice, Vidler’s creative inclinations had already taken her around the world.

“When I was a teenager, I moved to Brisbane to study Fine Art and a Bachelor of Design at the Queensland College of Art. Following on from university, I started working first as a web designer, and then moved into the tech industry as a User Experience Designer,” Amy said.

This period saw her living in both Oslo and London, far from her roots in the small town of Clermont in Central Queensland. Yet, it wasn’t until a return to Australia that Amy began to explore how her lifelong passion for making could evolve from a hobby into a full-fledged business.

“I became interested in fibreglass after moving to Newy; I started dabbling and researching the market, but I didn’t have the confidence to really pursue it seriously.”

This tentative beginning led her to an informal apprenticeship with a local industrial designer. Through this experience, she honed her technical skills and discovered the unique possibilities of fibreglass as a medium. It was during this time that the interest in creating ambient lighting began to take shape.

“A well-designed ambient light can really transform a space, and I loved the idea of being able to create something that was essentially a piece of functional art.”

The allure of fibreglass lies not only in its durability but also in its surprising aesthetic qualities.

“Fibreglass can have a really beautiful organic, almost paper-like look to it, but to touch it’s silky smooth. With light filtering through, it’s mesmerising, and you can spend a lot of time marvelling at the texture. With the light off, fibreglass is just as compelling, and maybe this is when the sculptural aspect of my work shines.”

Working with fibreglass, known for its durability but not its eco-friendliness, does come with its own environmental implications. In response to this, Vidler has built her business around strong principles of sustainability and minimal waste.

“I decided that I would only make collectible designs and keep my production extremely low scale. Everything is handmade to order by me, so there is no mass production leading to waste.”

This careful approach ensures that each piece she creates is not only unique but also thoughtfully produced with an eye toward longevity and environmental responsibility.

Amy’s designs are unique in shape, with inspiration from discarded materials of interesting shape often serving as a starting point for new creations.

“It could be something as banal as cardboard lying in a certain way.”

Over the years, Vidler has developed an impressive portfolio of lighting designs, ranging from pendants and wall lights to table lamps.

“Several of my designs like the Bumps and the Mozzarella lamps use the same shape, but they are put together in different ways or combinations.”

For those of you interested in seeing Vidler’s work in the flesh, you can see two different types of pendants and some wall sconces behind the bar at the stunning HUMBUG restaurant on Hunter Street, as well as perusing the ceiling lights at The Beach Hotel’s upstairs restaurant, Peregrin.

In a world increasingly dominated by mass production, Amy Vidler’s handcrafted, thoughtful approach to design stands out. Her work, much like the medium she has mastered, is complex, durable, and endlessly captivating.