Topless wallpaper makes its mark in Shrewsbury
Volunteers who were photographed topless for a Shropshire artist's breast cancer charity wallpaper have attended a private viewing in Shrewsbury to thank them.
Artist Sam Pooley has sold portions of the wallpaper as far as Hong Kong and the United States since the unveiling of the work at her fine art degree show at Birmingham City University last June.
The 38-year-old has now shown the wallpaper for the first time since then at the private viewing at Shrewsbury Coffeehouse, in Castle Gates, yesterday.
Each of the volunteers, who queued for up to two hours to be photographed during a shoot at the Coffeehouse last March, received a piece of the wallpaper signed by the artist.
The wallpaper, which subtly displays the tiny photographic images beneath the veil of a traditional damask wallpaper pattern, will remain on exhibition at the venue until mid November. It has so far raised thousands of pounds for breast cancer research and awareness charities.
And Simon Penrice Interior Design, in Princess Street, is stocking a sample book of the wallpaper from today for customers to place orders for rolls.
Women of all ages took part in the original shoot, ranging from business women and teachers to a town councillor and even a 65-year-old female priest.
Reverend Caroline Wright, of St Michael's Church in Smethcote, near Shrewsbury, won widespread support, including the backing of the Hereford Diocese, after volunteering to support breast cancer awareness.
Ms Pooley said: "I was delighted to see so many of the women who volunteered for the project present last night."
