Hayley Stephen

Illustration - BA (Hons)

Cambridge-based illustrator Hayley Stephen has spent her final year at Cambridge School of Art immersed in printmaking. She has explored and developed her interest in texture through collagraphy, collaging with items such as wallpaper samples, thread and yarn, twigs and grasses. Her projects have largely been inspired by poems, which have facilitated a more abstract way of working. The resulting work has a strong sense of atmosphere and conveys themes of transience, isolation and connection.

Hayley has also channelled an existing interest in woodworking into making simple layered woodcuts. In these she aims to incorporate the natural grain of the wood into the prints. Lockdown put the print room with its beautiful antique presses off-limits, and brought the opportunity to hone hand-printing techniques at home with a baren and a wooden spoon.

Beyond printmaking, Hayley uses abundant colour in her illustrations, and enjoys making images by digitally collaging various hand-drawn, painted or printed elements.