JULIA
HENNESSY-PRIEST

Julia Hennessy-Priest graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art at University of Sunderland in 1992, specialising in painting.

An experienced teacher, she is currently completing a Masters in Art and Education Practices at Birmingham City University. Julia’s work is inspired by nature, particularly flora observed or ‘finds’ that are gathered on walks in the British countryside. Observations of leaf shape, bark, stones, spatial elements across planting or hues of colour can often initiate ideas.

Drawings are the bedrock of the work, moving from detail to abstraction. Although a variety of materials can be found in her work, she often favours synthetic clay which is used to model an abstract form. Plaster and bronze casts are made from these and to complete each piece, the surface is often enhanced using pigments and finally, waxed to protect. Julia’s works in mosaic, once more inspired by nature, draw upon her knowledge and skills of handling paint colour in oils and watercolours; she `paints’ with the tiles, in tiny pieces, often applied using a pair of tweezers, to capture hues of colour and detail.

Julia Hennessy-Priest lives and works in Birmingham, England.