Alison Bailey Smith

Born in Scotland to thrifty post-war parents, Alison was taught not to waste anything and to see the potential in everything. Alison was a huge fan of the section on Blue Peter where the presenters showed viewers the astonishing range of things that could be made from toilet rolls and yogurt pots. She was always keen to have a go and was not deterred when she didn’t have the same supplies shown on TV. She discovered a talent for creative thinking to turn materials found around the house into her own version of what she saw on screen.

Alison initially trained in jewellery at the Edinburgh College of Art, before diversifying into textiles, costume and fashion. Much of Alison’s work incorporates wire salvaged from inside old televisions, leading her to be described as a ‘techno cannibal’ by BBC journalist Clare English. Alison has found over a hundred different colours of copper and aluminium wire inside old TVs, although unfortunately it is becoming harder to find the vintage sets. Other materials used in Alison’s work include charity shop finds, scrap paper and sweet wrappers.

Alison continues to develop her skills, most recently learning how to weld so that she can create larger scale pieces that are integrated into the summer displays for children at Eureka! Science & Discovery in Seacombe in Wirral. Her recent challenge has been working with ball chains from roman blinds to create our capsule collection on show in the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum, in conjunction with their Summer exhibitions “Into the Wyld” and “The Kirsty Doyle Club” fashion exhibition.

Alison has seen recognition for her work, including winning Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year, being a finalist in the Environmental Art Awards in Liverpool, and receiving an award for Nurturing Community Talent from Wirral Met College. She has a dedicated studio in Oxton in Birkenhead and will be returning for Oxton Art Fair at the Williamson at the end of November.

ALISON'S WEBSITE