Sallie was born in Wellington in 1980 with Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that causes developmental and learning disabilities – but she hasn’t let her disability define her.
As a mostly independent and active woman, she is a well-known figure in the city, often walking the familiar streets greeting her wide network of friends.
Sallie has received no formal training in art, although she has always loved to draw and she has developed a unique style of her own. She has been encouraged by her brother, photographer Harry Culy. Using felt pens she draws colourful compositions which act as a visual diary of the people, activities and things that interest her.
“I started drawing when I was younger, but I’ve started to do it a lot more lately – every week I meet up with my brother and we do drawing,” says Sallie.
“It makes me feel happy to draw, I draw people, and musicians that I love. I like to draw the things that make me happy. Art makes me feel a lot of joy, and it helps people be friends together.”