Sally Burnett, Yeoman of the Turners’ Company
Now a professional designer maker in wood, Sally initially trained in 3D design and for many years specialised in the design and manufacture of hand blown glass vessels, panels and large ceramic tile installations, for both private and commercial clients. Since discovering a passion for wood, Sally has rapidly gained an international reputation with her lathe turned and exquisitely carved vessels.
Using mainly English native ‘green’ (recently felled) timber, her distinctive decorative vessels often have wide tops and small bases with long elegant curves. They are usually rich in texture created with pyrography and carving, many embellished with acrylic colour and silver and gold leaf.
In 2015 Sally was the recipient of a Bursary from the Worshipful Company of Turners which enabled her to spend time working with Jacques Vesery (USA), an amazing opportunity for which she will always be grateful. That year she was also invited to participate in the UK Crafts Council ‘Hothouse’ scheme for emerging makers and this prompted her to take the leap and become a full-time maker in wood.
Sally’s distinctive work has featured in many exhibitions, including Maison et Objet in Paris and can be found in several private collections, UK galleries and is becoming a firm favourite of interior designers and architects worldwide.
See Sally telling her story and talking about her inspiration work at Wizardry in Wood 2016 (Youtube)
Sally talks about turning wood into art (Youtube)