About Sally

Dear Daisy Chain is an unusual illustration studio and the portal for a curiously gentle narrative vista; a written and visual world rooted in social, ecological and publishing histories. As an illustrator, writer, printmaker, book maker and public art designer, narrative works by Sally Nansen reflect on ideas of innocence and innocence-lost; legacies of the social and ecological past drawing close as cautionary tales and as a means to express deep longing. The human story is dealt with both sharpness and tenderness by Sally. Time disappears, humanity faces itself.

Sally’s small press imprint Morris & Company Press produces new ephemera as publishing ‘artefacts’ for the modern eye and for the hands that might hold Sally’s tales. The increasing inclusion of historical letterpress printing, handset type, and hand-carved illustration blocks in her practice adds contemplative and philosophical meanings to her process. Sally’s occasional public art commissions have explored a different medium (illustrations silhouetted in steel), though the common thread is her storytelling. In all her work, doggedly the past persists in her as a muse and mentor. History is a mother whose milk is both sweet and bitter to her lips.

Sally’s books have been part of the NGV Melbourne Art Book Fairs 2022-2024, and the 2024 National Trust Australian Heritage Festival (with Hobsons Bay Libraries). She regularly performs contemplative book readings of her tales and facilitates educative sessions about the nature and themes of history in her work for community groups and institutions. Since 2024 she has been teaching at Firestation Print Studio in Melbourne, guiding others in the lovely old art of letterpress.

Please go to Hobsons Bay Homegrown Authors Network for a listing of Sally’s writing and awards.

From readers of The Birds-A Fairy Tale (published 2023) ~

“Your book joins our library of classics, next to Kahlil Gibran and Wendell Berry. Thanks for the love and care you have put into crafting these rich and illustrative word-images. I finished it both elated and encouraged, and saddened and distraught. All at once. You have been courageous in pushing us (the readers) along in our journey. The call to be transformed. Overwhelmingly lovely and monstrously terrifying. Well done. Captivating, beautiful, poetic, unexpected. A ferociously fine tale.” ~ Nick

“The Birds! So it is a bathing of the senses. It is sensational in the true meaning of the word. I couldn’t stop reading all those perfect words, poured over every beautiful illustration…” ~ Anne

“Holding this book is like holding a treasure” ~ Lindesay

Testimonials from Sally’s book readings and educative sessions ~

“Your talk was just phenomenal for our students to hear. You spoke with such honesty, from such incredible lived experience, and with such passion. All we can hope for really when we engage professionals in the world to come and speak to our young people” ~ Sophia Mundi Steiner School, Year 12 IB Visual Art Program, 2024

“Sally is so wise and beautiful…it was a great night…special on many levels” ~ North Melbourne Community Choir, 2024

“Powerful story” ~ Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre World Migratory Bird Day, 2024

“It was a bit magical! I’m so glad I waited to read your tale until after hearing you read it - your voice made the dear bird sound so very compassionate, patient and trustworthy…” ~ Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre World Migratory Bird Day, 2024

“I wanted to thank you again for Sunday’s special event…I have been raving about your talk to staff” ~ Hobsons Bay Libraries for the National Trust Australian Heritage Festival, 2024

“The recent student workshop featuring Sally Nansen was a remarkable experience. Sally captivated the students with a reading of her beautifully crafted story, bringing characters and scenes to life with her expressive storytelling. Sally not only read her story but shared the inspirations and reasons behind it, providing valuable insights into the creative process… an inspiring and enriching experience that highlighted the power of storytelling” ~ Rivercrest Christian College, Grade 5s & Grade 1s, 2024

“Thanks so much for sharing your gorgeous art and lovely words with our book club. It really was the most nourishing time for us, and you did such a beautiful job of creating a safe and inspiring space” ~ Warnambool Book Club, 2023

“What a beautiful morning with Sally” ~ Yarraville Book Club, 2023