Adam Mandarano

Adam imbues his works with energy. A warmth and vibrance that radiate from bold, abstract colours and intricate textures. Whether in his weaving, drawing or painting, this energy pulses, inviting you to reach the heart of Adam’s practice. A heart full of his deep love for the people around him, and motivated by his unmistakable joy in making.

As Studio A’s resident artisan, Adam’s loom work is mesmerising to watch. He almost effortlessly passes yarn between parallel threads to conjure a ‘whole’ out of small, detailed parts. Each scarf, bag, blanket and piece of wearable art reflects Adam’s carefully considered patterning, resourcefulness and attitude towards waste avoidance. Adam has woven at Cut N Polish at Carriageworks, Sydney Craft Week at Casula Powerhouse, and Working Dog Gallery.

In 2022, Romance was Born approached Adam to create bespoke, handwoven textiles that were tailored into pieces for their Resort 23 collection for Australian Fashion Week. The National Gallery of Australia subsequently acquired the two pieces.

In 2025, Adam revisited his painting practice, now with the same intuition, and detail he brings to the loom. His heart, love and insightful perception of auras is at the centre of his latest body of work. Originally inspired by his love of ballerinas, the series has transformed into sprawling portraits of the people close to his heart. “When I paint them, I can show them that I love them” he says.

As his body of work grows, so does his ambition as an artist and he hopes that this year he will be able to exhibit his work more, “I want to put my paintings in an exhibition and I want to travel with my art!”

- Words by Sam Kalis, portrait by Scott Heldorf