Sally-Ann Johns� striking work often depicts everyday birds, animals and sometimes portraits, displayed in a unique and exciting way. Set into a gold lined box, they conjure images of ancient religious icons tempting the viewer to witness them in a new light.

�The mysterious iconography of the Catholic and Apostolic Church has been inspiring my work for many years. Each piece of work consists of one image, isolated and surrounded in golden leaf. The work is then displayed in its own beautifully hand-crafted case, a simple drawing becomes a precious artifact.

My drawings are less to do with a realistic representation or portrait, than with creating a visual prayer. I allow each image to stand alone, surrounded by the constantly changing light that reflects around it.

The images are not what you would typically call holy or iconic, the animals are simplistic, sometimes flawed; the portraits are often dark or haunted. I don�t polish them or look for perfection; I leave them in their reflected light. I intend to demonstrate the ordinary to be extraordinary and leave each one as perfect in its imperfection.�



Education: Gray�s School of Art
Aberdeen, Scotland
1995 � 2000
BA Hons Design and Craft 2:1
PG Dip Art and Design

University of Lapland
Industrial Design Department
Rovaniemi, Finland
Jan � April 1999
ERASMUS Exchange Programme

Edinburgh College of Art
MDes Product and Furniture
2006 � 2008

Design Work: Programme cover design
Rootin� Aboot Folk Festival
The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, 2000

Interior design & lighting installation
Caf� 52, Aberdeen, 2002

Lighting design and installation
Bongo Club, Edinburgh, 2006

Planned and delivered workshop for schools
Six Cities Design Festival, Vitra Chair Exhibition
Cowane�s Hospital, Sterling, 2007

Teaching in product and furniture department
Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland
2007 - 08

Solo Shows: Limousine Bull, Aberdeen, Scotland, 2000

The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen, Scotland, 2000

Cameo Cinema, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2001

Forrest Caf�, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2005

The Neo Gallery, Cockermouth, England, 2006

Sarah Dallas, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2010


Group Shows: New Designers, Islington, 1999

RSA, Edinburgh, 2000

Aberdeen Art Gallery, Christmas Tree Auction, 2000

Studio One, Edinburgh, Scotland, 2006

Lucie Fenton Gallery, Edinburgh, 2006

The Red Door Gallery, Edinburgh, 2008

Edinburgh Art Fair, 2010

Christmas Exhibition, Union Gallery, Edinburgh, 2010

Meffan Winter Exhibition, Forfar, 2010

Scotland Art, Edinburgh, 2010

�Plight of the Bumble Bee� Union Gallery, 2011

Affordable Art Fair, Hampstead Heath, London, 2011

Edinburgh Art Fair, 2011