Hilary Bird Mayo ‘s new work responds to the beauty found in dereliction, and nature’s remarkable ability to regenerate, quietly reclaiming abandoned landscapes scarred by human activity. She is a London based artist specialising in sculptural ceramics.

Where decaying structures and resurgent nature intersect

Hilary Bird Mayo explores that transient, liminal space in which decaying structures and resurgent nature intersect. Her work invites reflection on memory and transformation. There is a dialogue between what is left behind and what emerges anew.

Contrasts between erosion and purity

To construct each piece Hilary makes an assemblage of form and fragments. She uses a variety of stoneware and local clays. Texture and surface echo rusted, eroded, lichen covered structures, crumbling concrete and bricks. This contrasts with the purity of porcelain and bone china used to create nest and eggshell forms, and fragments of the natural world. Sometimes she juxtaposes her work with found objects, collected over many years along the Suffolk Coast.

A change in direction

The ‘Topography of a Landscape’ series, inspired by visits to Iceland and evidence of climate change, was shown at Groundwork in 2017. Hilary Bird Mayo’s new work signals a change in direction, and a first collaboration, with haptic/tacit.

“I have appreciated the dialogue while work has evolved, so I welcome the opportunity to be a member of this group of like minded artists.”

A Selected Member of the Craft Potters Association and Contemporary Applied Arts; Hilary is an alumna of the Crafts Council Hothouse programme.  Making for over 40 years, Bird Mayo trained on the esteemed City Lit Diploma course, beginning her professional career in 2012. She has an honours degree in History of Design and her first career was at the BBC producing programmes.