Photo by David Wimble
BIO
Sue Jo Wright is a Sydney-based artist working primarily with photography, video and textiles. Her practice explores different themes and perspectives in her own language, Auslan (Australian Sign Language).
Embracing sign language from the age of 10, she has been driven to create artwork that breaks boundaries and offers a distinctive perspective into the Deaf world. Holding a Diploma of Visual Arts from TAFE NSW - St George Fine Arts, she has furthered her skills with short courses in community arts.
Sue Jo's creative skills were recognised when she won the Creative Design and Ideation Student Award at the TAFE NSW Excellence Awards 2020, highlighting her remarkable creativity and innovative spirit. Her achievements include winning the “Seed Stitch Contemporary Textile Awards (SSCTA)” 2020, Australian Design Centre Award for textiles with her piece "Sign of Time," where she crafted three-dimensional hand shapes representing Auslan and ASL signs. These hands are suspended in the air, creating a sense of organic movement, symbolising signs that move on their own.
Her expertise has earned her invitations to participate in panel discussions hosted by esteemed organisations such as the Art Gallery of NSW, Accessible Arts, Apple, Museum of Contemporary Art and Campbelltown Arts Centre. She has also been featured in interviews by prominent media outlets including Instyle Australia, NAVA, and TAFE, Daily Telegraph, St George & Sutherland Shire Leader where she shares valuable insights into her Deaf experience and artistic endeavours. Through her contributions, she has played a crucial role in raising awareness of and advocating for the Deaf community within the arts industry.