About Me
Hello, I am Alison and I am an experimental maker who combines metal, plastic, rubber, fabric and other materials to make detailed pieces – each one different to the next. I have been self-employed since 1990 and set up my most recent practice in the UK in 2004 after returning to UK from being overseas for almost ten years.
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Artist Statement
Born in Scotland to thrifty post-war parents, Alison was taught not to waste anything and to see the potential in everything. Her creative practice is very much material-led – designs are influenced by the properties and colours of the combination of materials used in each piece. 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 televisions. Other materials used in Alison’s work include charity shop finds, rubber from exercise balls, scrap fabric and sweet wrappers. She continues to develop her skills, recently learning how to weld to create large scale sculptural pieces.
Background
Alison initially trained in jewellery at the Edinburgh College of Art before expanding into textiles, costume and fashion. Alison has been the recipient of several awards, including Scottish Fashion Designer of the Year, Recycling Designer of the Year, and received a special commendation in the Platinum Award with a piece which is now in the collection of the National Museums of Scotland. She has exhibited widely in the UK and internationally. She was the press officer for the Williamson Art Gallery from 2014 - 2018 and went on to be partnership and participation officer for the Borough of Culture in 2019. She occasionally runs creative workshops and runs Art on Wirral - an artist network to promote communication between individuals in visual arts.
Affiliations
- Precious Collective
- Crafts council Directory
- Re-View Textile
- Oxton Artist Directory
Exhibitions & Features
- 2025 – Floribunda, Group Exhibition at The Atkinson (Curator & artist)
- 2024 – Guest Craftsperson, Williamson Art Gallery
- Pieces in public collections of National Museum of Scotland and Aberdeen Art Gallery
- Featured in the Sunday Telegraph, on The Clothes Show, in Cheshire Life
Contact
Alison's studio is part of Wellington Road Art Studios in Oxton in Birkenhead and visitors are welcome by appointment. She regularly takes part in open studio events in Wirral. If you are interested in future collaborations or simply want more information please contact alison@alisonbaileysmith or fill out the contact form.