Wollongong sculptor artist Deborah Redwood critically injured in US crash

A renowned Wollongong sculptor faces an uncertain future after suffering a severe brain injury when she was hit by a truck during a US artist residency.

Deborah Redwood, a talented artist from Wollongong, NSW, was hit by a pick-up truck on June 10, 2025 while riding her bicycle in the USA and is now on the long road to recovery. Credit: GoFundMe

A well-known Illawarra artist has suffered a significant brain injury while staying in the United States after being hit by a pick up truck while riding her bike.

Deborah Redwood, a talented sculpture and visual artist from Wollongong – whose large-scale metal sculptures have been exhibited around Australia and overseas – was in Detroit, Michigan for an artist residency at Villa Barr Art Park when she was hit by the truck on June 10.

The truck was travelling around 80km/h when it struck Ms Redwood while she was cycling to a local nature reserve.

The horrendous accident rendered the 69-year-old unconscious and she was rushed to a local hospital where she underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from her brain which then left her in a coma for 10 days.

She suffered severe injuries including a broken clavicle, almost every rib was broken, a broken vertebrae, a collapsed lung, along with a serious brain injury.

Deborah Redwood is a well-known Illawarra sculptor and visual artist. Credit: GoFundMe

Ms Redwood suffered significant injuries including a brain injury. Credit: GoFundMe

She slowly began to improve and regained consciousness before finally starting to speak again.

Now in acute care, Ms Redwood is set to be transferred to rehabilitation for her recovery before eventually she’ll get to fly back to Australia, with a long road of care ahead.

The 69-year-old has a healthy and active lifestyle. Credit: GoFundMe

“Quite extraordinary to be speaking to her but she needs a lot of brain care and rehabilitation, but long term care is the big issue,” long time friend Greer Taylor told this publication.

Friends for about 15 years, the pair who are both artists, have been a big part of each others lives.

“It’s a close and unique relationship, very special in that she helps me with my sculpture installs and I help with hers, mine are complex and she has been amazingly generous in the time that she has given,” Ms Taylor said.

“We have travelled around the east coast of Australia installing sculptures together, otherwise we meet regularly, she lives an hour or so away from me and we meet and discuss art and life.

“She has a very big art sculpture community.

“She is one of the fittest person you would run into, she surfs, she mountain bikes, she lifts weights, she does yoga, always cared for her body really well and travelling around the world doing residencies.”

Deborah Redwood with fellow artists and friends Mary Wingrave, Judy Bourke and Liz Jeneid. Her community of friends have set up a Go Fund Me page to help in her recovery. Credit: GoFundMe

But the difficulty, according to Ms Taylor, is that once her friend returns home to Australia, there’s questions over her recovery due to her age.

“Over 65 there is no NDIS for her, brain injury units do not accept people over 65. We need to find care outside the system for her,” she explained.

“Insurance obligation ends when she returns to Australia. We’re mounting a legal case in the US but do not know when that money will come.”

Far from home, with no close friends in the US and no close family by blood, her friends are doing everything they can to support her before she makes it back down under.

They’ve started a GoFundMe page to support every step of her recovery in the hope of raising in excess of $50k.

“Deborah has always been an inspiration, whether it’s through her breathtaking sculptures, her generosity, or her ability to bring people together,” the GoFundMe page stated.

“We want to give back to her in any way we can. We know that her strength and determination will carry her through, but having the emotional support of her loved ones, and the financial support from all of you, will make a huge difference.

“Deborah is a cherished part of the Australian arts community, and she’s made a lasting impact through her art, her leadership, and her generosity.

“Many of us know her as someone who lifts others up, whether through her art, her mentorship, or her deep connection to the community. Now it’s our turn to help her when she needs it most.”

Originally published as Wollongong sculptor artist Deborah Redwood critically injured in US crash