About the artist...

Ama was born and raised in Africa and this has naturally inspired her work. By the time she reached the age of 21 she was running her own art and design company in Botswana. The company, Ngwedi Designs, was a successful enterprise which led to many exhibitions and commissions. Her work included paintings, murals, greeting cards, t - shirts, and promotional artwork for businesses.

Ama’s studies began with fine art, English Literature & History of Art at Cambridge College of Arts and Technology and led to a BA Honours degree in African & Asian art and archaeology at the London School of Oriental & African Studies. It was during this degree that she carried out field research on Khoesan art and ritual in the Kalahari Desert. Ama then embarked on a PGCE, specialising in secondary art & design at the London Institute of Education.

Upon completion she took up a post at a residential special needs school in Surrey, running the Art Department and mentoring children with emotional difficulties. She furthered her qualifications with an AQA certificate in counselling theory and skills and counselled young people, working both with art therapy, positive outlets and humour. Ama spent five years within the school and from there worked with displaced teenagers at a referral unit and taught in inner city London schools. Her art, love of expressive colour, and belief that there is nothing we cannot overcome, has proved both therapeutic and inspiring to young people. Ama has also taken courses in Reiki and Quantum Touch therapy in Gaborone.

Ama sees her art as a vehicle for humour, mythology and story- telling. The magic that is all too often passed by in life exists in her work and she draws also on dreams and her travels to express the diversity of our experiences.  Her art has been described as sensual, expressive, humorous, and thought provoking. Passionate about the planet and its animals, this can be seen in her designs and she donates proceeds to Animal Welfare Organizations regularly.

Upon returning to her home in Botswana, Ama opened up her company Passion Monkey and continued where she left off in the 90’s. Passion Monkey has undertaken an interesting variety of commissions, ranging from sand blasting designs for windows, to private paintings, murals, marketing and advertising initiatives, and bespoke card designs.

Ama has illustrated four books to date: 'Forget Debt in 90 minutes', the highly successful and bestselling book 'Red Herrings & White Elephants', the sequel to that, 'Shaggy Dogs & Black Sheep', and 'Monologues and other verse' by Adrian O'Loughlin. She is in the process of illustrating a fifth book. Her illustrative work is largely cartoons. Ama has written and illustrated a number of children's stories and rhymes, which she is hoping to get published in the near future.

Passion Monkey produces blank, Christmas, and Birthday card designs in addition to a substantial range of wrapping paper designs. These products sell throughout Botswana, Southern Africa and Namibia. Passion Monkey has a variety of colourful, cartoon T-shirts available in many outlets in the country. Ama produces design & marketing concepts for corporate and private clients and is also providing counselling for individuals based in Botswana. Ama’s work ethic is love what you do, give back what you can whenever you can, maintain the highest possible quality of work, and leave people glad they chose you!

Ama donates proceeds to local orphans and children in need, Kinship Circle, Japan Animal Rescue, Greenpeace, the R.S.P.C.A, the Cancer Association of Botswana, stray animals and the B.S.P.C.A. Ama lives with her daughter, the amazing Grace, in Gaborone. Gracie is also a budding artist and a big animal lover. Ama effectively runs a cat sanctuary, with 30+ rescued cats, 3 rescued dogs (one blind), and 3 rescued chickens.