Freedom to Flow – Sarah-Louise Wilson and Val Cannon

Freedom to Flow is a joint exhibition by visual artists Sarah-Louise Wilson and Val Cannon. Both artists’ work explores the healing process of art-making.

Val and Sarah have worked together to present this joint exhibition at the Creative Exchange. Both artists’ work explores themes of mental health and wellbeing and the work displayed is an example of both their current practices which is continuously evolving and developing.

“Val fled from her home during the Covid pandemic to the peaceful countryside of Perthshire where she spent time recovering amongst nature. The old fountain tinkling gently outside her window inspired the start of her healing process. Here you can see the flow of her mixed media artworks.”

Val’s interest in mental health started while volunteering as an artist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. She then trained to become a mental health nurse going onto work as a mental health practitioner and artist in health and social care, employability, further education and community arts. She has shared her knowledge and skills with many people of all ages to promote their mental health and wellbeing.

“Sarah has exhibited a collection of prints made over several years with the addition of glass produced more recently. Sarah’s work explores personal memories and experiences which had left a mark on her and and she uses her art making to address her emotions and make a visual response to the experience.”

Sarah is a multi-disiplinary artist and workshop provider. She completed a MA Fine Art Printmaking from Camberwell College of Art, London in 2002 and a HNC Art Glass from City College, Glasgow 2022. Sarah has work in both private and public collections and has produced public commissions in metal, stained glass and mosiacs in the UK.