Ffynnon Wen Artists: Harriet Hill

Harriet Hill uses felt as a sculptural fabric, creating structures and objects that combine art with functional design.

Using traditional methods of felt production she produces sculptures, wall hangings and interior furnishings that exploit the unique qualities of the medium combining geometric abstraction and intense colour with the tactile felted surface to “push the boundaries of contemporary felt”.

Since finishing her Fine Art degree in 1987 Harriet has spent time designing clothes, running away with the circus, managing a delicatessen and having children. She moved back to the Welsh border in 1996 where, between working in theatre, interior and soft furnishing design Harriet has gradually built up her artistic practice.

Establishing ‘Harriet Hill Designs’ in 2002, she explores the unique qualities of felt, designing functional accessories, large scale art pieces and sculptural furnishings.

Harriet has exhibited widely in the UK through art galleries, craft shops and craft and trade fairs, receiving Arts Council funding to show at PULSE and Chelsea Crafts Fair 2005 and funding for a research trip to New York in January 2006 from the Crafts Council and UKTI.

Wanting to develop her felt work in the context of contemporary art practice, Harriet is currently doing an MFA in Textiles at Goldsmiths College, London.

As part of her art practice Harriet teaches felt-making extensively in community groups and schools and with professional and private groups. In November 2006 she travelled to Kazakhstan with the British Council to work with Kazakh felt makers on product development.