Maria Hayes' work is full of a graphic energy which is physical. Movement is, almost literally, expressed through the energy of her own body as it makes marks on her chosen media...
The consistency in her work is a kind of handwriting, a line and gesture which recurs in different themes and projects.
Mike Tooby,
Director, National Museums and Galleries of Wales.
Maria Hayes: artwork, illustration and education
Since 1986, Maria has made and shown work in galleries and at live events across the UK. The majority of Maria's work is 2 dimensional, using a variety of media including painting, printmaking, drawing and mixed media. She finds inspiration in the landscape of North Wales and in the human form.
Her work is held in private and public collections nationally and internationally.
Maria has also explored in depth the connection between the drawn line and the figure in motion and has developed a form of live "action painting" in collaboration with theatre and dance companies such as Volcano Theatre and Paul Davies (North East Wales Dance).
She combines this practice with education and training work in schools, galleries and Higher Education institutions across Wales and the UK. Maria is regularly commissioned to devise and deliver workshops and longer courses in arts and gallery education.
For more details of Maria's education and training work, visit the education section.
Illustration is a new branch to Maria's work following the completion of a course at NEWI, Wrexham 2005/6. Expanding on the illustrative aspects to her Fine Art practise, Maria is developing a distinctive style as an illustrator. She has experience of childrens books, logo designs and editorials. Her work focuses on the hand drawn with some use of digital interventions. This is an exciting development and she is looking forward to developing her folio of commissions.
For more details of Maria's illustration practice, visit the illustration section.
