Art: A dream come true for Holmfirth artist Sally Wilson

Oct 16 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AN award-winning artist who rummages through charity shops for inspiration is taking her work on an international tour.

Sally Wilson, of Holmfirth, made a name for herself by using vintage fabrics combined with welded metal structures to create sculptures.

The fine artist Holmfirth has won awards in the past for her creations.

And now, after showing her work at Alexandra Palace in London last weekend, it will be viewed in galleries from Paris to Austria.

For Sally, 42, a former lecturer at Huddersfield New College, it is a dream come true.

A few years ago she suffered a traumatic brain injury and had to give up teaching. She also lost her father, which set her on her mission to buy materials from local charity shops to support various worthy causes.

She said: “I’ve been teaching art for more than 15 years so art has always been my life.

“I spend a fortune in charity shops looking for the right materials and patterns that will work with my designs, but they’re great places for materials.

“I’m inspired by nature – animals and the environment.

“Living in Holmfirth, the surrounding areas are perfect to get inspired.”

Last weekend Sally exhibited at Alexandra Palace in London at the prestigious PFAFF Art Embroidery Challenge at the Knitting and Stitching show.

The exhibition will move on to Paris, Spain and Austria over the coming months.

“I am very excited and privileged to be selected to display my work alongside internationally renowned textile artists such as Jan Beaney, Jean Littlejohn and Alice Kettle,” Sally added.