Born in Corbridge Northumberland, Sue studied at Newcastle College for a Diploma in Art and Design, and then went on to complete a BA(hons)Fine Art at Sunderland University.

Brought up on a large dairy farm, sue has always been surrounded by farm animals and wildlife - always feeling rooted to the natural world.

Her fascination and interest in the relationship between man and animal continues, especially with regard to communication, intelligence, perception and interaction. This continues to be a great source of inspiration for her work. 

Westside Contemporary was run by Sue and her late husband Roy Sturgeon, after his untimely death 2 years ago, Sue now runs the business with the help of fellow director and son William Anderson.

“In the very earliest time

When both people and animals lived on earth

A person could become an animal if he wanted to

And an animal could become a human being.

Sometimes they were people and sometimes animals

And there was no difference.

All spoke the same language.

That was the time when words were like magic.

The human mind had mysterious powers.

A word spoken by chance

Might have strange consequences.

It would suddenly come alive

And what people wanted to happen, could happen-

All you had to do was say it.

Nobody could explain this:

That’s the way it was.”

- Magic Words is an anonymous Eskimo poem