Hilary Marshall
Hilary Marshall is an experimental mixed media artist working from her own studio at Hemingford Grey in Cambridgeshire.
Her early career was as a graphic artist, having graduated with a BA Hons in Graphic Design from Middlesex Polytechnic in 1986, a foundation she believes continues to influence her stylised work. She worked primarily as a packaging designer, developing brands for high street names such as Marks and Spencer and Boots. She then became a primary school teacher, where she was the art subject lead, and achieved Artsmark gold status for her school, raising the profile of the arts in a difficult political climate. She has worked as a full-time artist since 2023.
Hilary works on paper, favouring narrow or square formats to create abstract landscapes or geometric pieces.. Much of her work plays with suspending aspects of the picture, which appear to float within the deckled edged mount.
Hilary has exhibited widely across Cambridgeshire, including Aka Contemporary Cambridge, Babylon Arts, St John's Innovation Centre, The Wisbech Gallery, Art@One, Haddenham Arts, Stapleford Granary. She is a member of Cambridge Open Studios and The Cambridge Drawing Society. She takes part in Cambridge Open Studios annually and is a member of the Cambridge Drawing Society, exhibiting at their regular events.Hilary was involved in the early development of Art@One, a venture for promoting and showcasing local artists. Part of this included an educational program for which she has designed activities and led the visits.
Artist Statement
I am a mixed media artist who creates contemporary pieces, which are a visual interpretation of my memories or experiences. My work is largely driven by two fascinations: a love of colour and texture, and a curiosity to push both process and materials in innovative directions. This manifests itself as pieces built of many layers, exploring the effects of opacity and transparency. Colour is often applied using mono type screen printing techniques with both under and over drawing. Materials are often suspended above the image. The results present strength and fragility co-existing in a state of equilibrium.