Hey, I’m Sally. I’m a trauma informed artist from Adelaide/ Tarntanya, South Australia.

I’m not lying when I say that I have done a lot in my little life. I’m all for curiosity and creativity, and I am utterly fascinated by the human condition. My art is about emotion; truly feeling that sense of awe because essentially, we’re all going to die. How beautiful it is to exist, at all.

I honestly believe that our time on this earth is far too precious to waste. I know it can be hard, but if I have learned anything it’s that time is healing and paradoxically, that life is short.

My Grandad always said “Life wasn’t meant to be easy”. It’s not. Finding moments of joy and awe and wonder can help us navigate the terrain with ease.

My work is in collections worldwide, and I have so much gratitude to my beautiful collectors.

Here is a bit more about me:

Exhibitions

Solo

October 2002        Untitled, Urban Cow Studio.

August 2003          Rantings, Urban Cow Studio. 

2006                        Men, Suzie Wong’s Room, Hindmarsh. 

May 2007               Lights, Urban Cow Studio. 

2008                       Gingers Cafe. 

2014                        Wheatshef Hotel.

2023                       Life, In Colour. Joy of Flora, West Croydon

2023                       How Does it Make You Feel? Royal Adelaide Hospital, Centre for Creative Health

2024                        Joy, Joy of Flora, West Croydon. 

2024                       Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide.

2026                        Till Human Voices Wake Us, POD Gallery, Stepney. 

2026                        Daydream, Port Adelaide Visitors Centre, Port Adelaide. 

Collaborative

November 2001     Collaborative Exhibition, Lombard Gallery, Magill.

2001                          Adelaide University. (Multiple exhibitions)

April 2002               Frame the Couch, Carclew Youth Art Centre, North Adelaide. 

March 2002            Acquiescence, Breakers Pool Hall, Adelaide.

June 2002              We’re Creating the Future, Carclew Youth Art Centre, North Adelaide. 

2003                        Flight, Miss Gladys Sym Choon, Adelaide. 

July 2003               Kunst, Worlds End Hotel, Adelaide.

October 2003       Attack of the Girls, Exeter Hotel, Adelaide.

November 2003  Art East, Exeter, Adelaide.

2003                       Odeon Theatre.

2004                       Sprouts, Adelaide.

2005                       The Gallery, Adelaide. 

2005                       Amnesty International Fundraiser, Jive, Adelaide.

2010                        Kings Head, Adelaide. (Multiple exhibitions)

2012                        Gingers Cafe, Goodwood.

2013                        Let them play, Vintage Carousel, Brompton. 

2013                        Tell them you’re pretty, Addora Live. Tranmere. 

2024                       Bloom Vale, Rundle Collective, Mr Sunshine's, Thebarton.

2024                       An Evening Under the Stars, Karoonda. 

2025                       In Bloom, Rundle Collective, Boy and Bloom Cafe, Adelaide. 

Awards

October 2000     Express: Youth Art Exhibition, Norwood. Winner: Painting. 

May 2000    Winner of the Playford Youth Art Competition/ Exhibition, 16-20 age category. 

April 2001     Winner of the Playford Youth Art Exhibition, 20-26 age category.  

Art Projects

2001 Caravan Mural for Playford Youth Council.

2004 Carclew City Cites Mural

Designer

January 2000       Ami Hit the Atmosphere- Byte Theatre, Artery Party, Carlclew. Make up and Costume. 

February 2000     More than Monologues- Byte Theatre, Shelley Theatre. Make up artist. 

June 2000            Ami hit the atmosphere- Byte Theatre, Shelley Theatre. Set, make up and costume.

August 2000       The “S” Squad, Byte Theatre, Lion Arts Bar. Set make up, costume. 

November 2000 Remote Control Junkies, Jumbuck Youth Theatre, poster image and actor. 

2001                       Caravan Mural, Playford Youth Council. 

2002- 2016            Lighting for various bands.

2004                      Set Designer, The Arts Theatre. 

Actor

November 2000 Remote Control Junkies, Jumbuck Youth Theatre. 

March 2004 Salty Sprinklers, Urban Myth Theatre Company, Adelaide and Murray Bridge. 

Musician

Corporate Kitty

-performed at Adelaide University Orientation 2002.

-Raw Comedy 2002 Rhino Room. 

Publications

Wednesday March 28 2001, “Dept of Youth”, Messenger Adelaide. 

May 2000, “Bee eater, Mermaid catch judges eye”, Messenger Adelaide. 

8th of April, 2002, On dit cover design, Adelaide University. 

DJ

2006-7, Franklin Hotel and Wakefield Hotels. 

2010- 2007 Crown and Anchor Hotel. 

Visual Arts Curator

2002 Jive, Adelaide.

2007 Suzie Wongs Room, Hindmarsh.

Workshop organiser

2007 Monthly Life Drawing sessions at Suzie Wongs Room, Hindmarsh. 

2005 Amnesty International Art Coordinator. 

2024 Painting and the Nervous System.

Event Organiser

Adelaide University Orientation/ O’Ball 2002

Art Life model- 2005

Photographer

2002- Current (Sally Mckinnon Photographer/ Rebel Romance)

Education

2002 Bachelor of Humanities

2004 Advanced Diploma of Visual Art and Applied Design, TAFE.

2010  Bachelor of Nursing

2011  Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing

2025 Graduate Certificate in Adolescent Mental Health (Current)