Peter Hayes

Peter Hayes has worked as a potter and ceramic sculptor in Africa, India, Japan and New Mexico. Whilst working with tribes and village potters he was intrigued that with limited technology and basic tools the craftsmen produced exquisitely beautiful surfaces.

Over the years techniques learnt on his travels have developed his own work; he builds up layers of textured clay, combining burnishing and polishing with surface textures, and introducing resin, copper,
iron and glass into some pieces. He achieves wonderful forms and finishes and now has several major pieces cast in bronze.

His sculptures vary from the intimate to the monumental; all have a strength that transcends size.

“I am naturally drawn to shapes of artefacts and objects from other cultures and other times that remain timeless.
My main aim in my work is not to compete with nature; but for the work to evolve within the environment. Minerals such as iron and copper that I introduce into the
‘Raku’ ceramic surface have their own effect on the clay.

This process continues with sanding so that the texture and
cracks do not interrupt the surface but become an organic, integral part of the patina.

Each individual piece takes on
its own developing surface, its own history and its own aesthetic. I am merely the maker. ” Peter Hayes

His work is in public collections including The Scottish National Gallery,
The Museum of Modern Art Jamaica,
The Museum of Modern Art Brussels,
The Gardener Collection, Canada
The Silver Collection, California.

The Stour Gallery has regularly shown Peter’s work. This is our first opportunity to show his outdoor sculptures as well
as his more intimate pieces.