Maria draws from observation and in response to listening. She draws on the quality of energy she encounters. The resulting image does not look like her subject but reveals the movement, which cannot be seen unless it is drawn. Drawing sound or dance, Maria distills the energy into line.
She uses video and projection technologies to assist with her drawing – to get closer to the observed subject, experiment with narrative and collaborate with other practitioners.

Maria is currently working on a practice based PhD at Aberystwyth University.
To learn more about this work see ‘Shedding Skins’.

Maria Hayes has exhibited widely since 1986 and has work for exhibition and sale at her studio. Her work is represented in both private and public collections nationally and internationally, and by Ralph Sanders of Welsh Art.

Maria welcomes inquiries for studio visits, exhibitions, projects and commissions.

Maria’s recent video works can be seen here. Scroll down to view the gallery of her drawings, prints and paintings and photos from her projects.

Raven Dance, Selkie Song 2010
04m 38s
Collaborative work with Kristin Carlson at School of Interactive Arts and Technologies, Vancouver. We were inspired by the First Nations Raven masks and improvised a duet on this theme.

Charlie Bird 2010
04m 28s
When the cat brought in this bird I rescued it. Some weeks later he went to a rescue centre as his wing never healed. He’s a great character so I named him Charlie and filmed him in those first few hours.Later, in the studio, I drew into the video using my digital projection technique.

Gwawr Gwaith Powdwr 2010
05m 18s
Drawing the new dawn at the old explosive works in Penrhyndeudreath. I took my camera up to the land at 4.30am and filmed. I later projected the film in my studio and drew into the film. The video you are now seeing is an edit between those films. This celebrates the new dawn of the lands use as it changes from being the site of an explosives factory, to a wildlife sanctuary.

Watch Your Back 2010
05m 01s
Watch your back is a personal film where I begin drawing by playing dot to dot with the moles on my back.

Tiger 2010
05m 04s
Drawing the Sumerian Tiger at Welsh Mountain Zoo using the projection drawing technique.
Bryn the Tiger co-operated beautifully for about an hour. Here is a five minute film of the process.

In Concert 2010
05m 00s
Performance. Maria Hayes responds to the sounds John Harvey generates. Visual art and sonic art in conversation.

Lines of Enquiry 1 2009
05m 17s
Dancer Sean Feldman moves to sound, artist Maria Hayes draws the dancer. Conversation between art forms, between artists.

Lines of Enquiry 2 2009
05m 22s
Sean Feldman, Maria Hayes and Martin Pyne exploring a conversation through movement, music and visual art. He responds to the music, she draws his movement. He works with the drawing, she draws the music.

A Bird in the Hand 2009
04m 48s
Maria draws the skeleton of homing pigeon she found on the beach.

Skin Deep 2009
A Selkie story and song narrated by June Tabor inspired this film.
Dancers Sandra Rosado and Paul Davies, edited by John Thorne. Directed by Maria Hayes.

For images and examples of Artwork please browse the gallery below.