When I look into the eyes of an animal, I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul. - A D Williams
The above quotation by AD Williams encapsulates what is at the very core of my work.
I am inspired by the amazing work and dedication of conservationists and also wildlife photographers, who document animals around the world and their fight for survival, which in many instances is where man is encroaching on their natural habitat.
In some small way I hope to interpret their images and create a piece of wire art which makes an emotional connection between the viewer and the subject and encourages the viewer to see 'a living being', to see 'a friend' and to 'feel their soul'.
If any one piece of my wire art is successful in persuading the viewer to start seeing animals as sentient beings, and treat them accordingly, then I have achieved what I set out to accomplish.
I donate a percentage of the profits of any sales to various animal charities and foundations, as a small thank you to the amazing work of these charities, who are at the forefront of conservation and animal welfare.
Artists Biography:
Originally from Staffordshire, Sadie moved to the South Hams in Devon in 1985, and apart from 6 years living and working away in Dorset in the 1990’s, Devon is her home.
Sadie achieved an Art O Level and A Level at school, with her main emphasis being on realistic drawing.
In the intervening years, Sadie continued to explore her love of everything creative, whilst working a full-time job.
With the advent of digital photography, Sadie began to experiment with photography, and developed a fascination with ‘fine art’ based macro/still life photography.
In order to learn more about photography, and to work towards an Art degree, Sadie enrolled with the Open College of the Arts (Distance Learning Course), and in 2005 achieved a Grade B in ‘Photography 1: Art of Photography’ and became a Licentiate of The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain for a period of time.
Sadie continued to study with the Open College of the Arts, and went on to achieve a Grade A in ‘Drawing/Drawing in Colour’ in 2008, followed in 2010 by a Grade B in ‘Painting 1: Starting to Paint’.
The accrued credit points resulted in Sadie obtaining a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE).
Due to family circumstances, Sadie had to put her desire to work towards an Art degree on hold.
Not to be deterred, Sadie started to experiment with different mediums and after seeing a simple picture of a sandcastle made using wire, she had a ‘light bulb’ moment of realising that it was possible to draw with wire!
Over a period of time Sadie developed a system of working with dark grey/silver fine gauge florists binding wire in order to create monochrome 2D images which combined her love of drawing and animals. Depending on the atmospheric conditions surrounding the piece then some parts of the wire take on a more 'sepia' tone or patina as the wire oxidises. Each completed piece is finally mounted on a bare white canvas.
In 2018 Sadie entered a worldwide competition held by Castle Fine Art.
Sadie, was eventually chosen as one of the finalists, and was announced as the winner of the Innovation Award at the IN:SIGHT 2018 Exhibition held at Castle Fine Art, Washington Green - Manchester
Her ‘Gorilla’ wire art piece was subsequently sold via Castle Fine Art Manchester Gallery.
IN:SIGHT 2018 Exhibition
Castle Fine Art | Washington Green - Manchester
Winner of the Innovation Award
Photograph - Decoy Media - Manchester, via Castle Fine Art
In 2019, Sadie entered her ‘Lion’ wire art piece into the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2019 global competition, and although this piece wasn’t chosen as a shortlisted finalist, it was selected to be included in the online-exhibition.
In 2020, Sadie entered her ‘Tiger’ and ‘Red Kite’ wire art pieces into a competition for emerging artists, held by Creates Gallery, 15 Church Street, Monmouth, NP25 3BX.
Sadie was chosen as one of the finalists and was awarded the Emerging Artist Award 2020 in the 2D category.
Emerging Artist Award 2020
(2D Prize)
Creates Gallery, 15 Church Street, Monmouth, NP25 3BX
info@createsgallery.com 07535 160 712
Following on from this competition, Sadie was invited to be an exhibiting artist at Creates Gallery and has gone on to sell a number of wire art pieces through the gallery, along with being commissioned to create bespoke pieces by clients of the gallery.
In 2022 Sadie again entered the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2022 competition with her ‘Gorilla III’ wire art piece and was named as one the finalists.
In 2023 Sadie again entered the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2023 competition with her ‘Gorilla Infant’ wire art piece and was named as one the finalists.
In 2024 Sadie again entered the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2024 competition with her ‘Rhino’ and ‘Elephant’ wire art pieces and was named as one the finalists.
‘Elephant’ was announced as the winner of the ‘Facing Extinction’ category.
I hope that you have enjoyed your journey around my work and please feel free to get in touch. Any feedback is always welcome.
Referenced photographs:
Jason Morgan Wildlife Art, Shuttershock, Pixabay, Pexels, Wildlife Reference Photos,
Freeimages, iStock, Unsplash, My own photographs.
My work is currently available via my website and my disclosed agents:
Creates Gallery, 15 Church Street, Monmouth, NP25 3BX
www.createsgallery.com
info@createsgallery.com 07535 160 712
Art Unlimited, 15 South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NR
www.art-unlimited.co.uk
01308 426593