Philly’s art is inspired by her love of adventure and the natural world. Her passions for sea swimming, off-road running, camping, hiking, and wildlife-watching all feed into her creativity. 

Originally from Salisbury, Philly and Tim brought up their three sons in North Yorkshire. She spent her working life supporting people with mental health issues, disabilities and dementia, helping them to have their voices heard and to challenge societal discrimination. 

After moving to the Isle of Lewis in 2020, Philly started felting, developed her love of photography, and experimented with other media. She has been studying fine art with UHI, and, as an active member of Open Studios Hebrides, has exhibited across the islands. 

Philly is now in the process of moving to Ullapool, and is looking forward to getting involved in the community.

Personal Statement

Philly’s current body of work focuses on Ullapool’s rooks. Her poem sums up her fascination with their constant motion, and the magical world they create above our heads:

The Winter Rooks

In the silent, still-dark woods

The black rooks shift,

Shake and stir,

Begin their clamour,

Lift their ragged wings, 

Rise up haphazardly,

To carve dark shapes

Into the cold air, 

And hammer out their frantic conversations,

Curve round, down, up again,

Drift out, on jagged rooftops, chimney stacks, 

Pause and stare, lurch back

Full circle to the still-black church,

Now rocking to their wild cries

Their raucous congregation.

In her response to the movement, light, shape and pattern of these amazing birds, Philly has experimented with mark-making, photography and hand-printed collage papers. Combining these in both one-dimensional and three-dimensional pieces, she has developed her understanding of the power of multiples and scale. She has aimed for simplicity through a limited colour palette and through cleanness of shape and line. She has also enjoyed exploring shadow and kinetic movement as additional players in her work.

Website: https://www.phillyhare.art/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phillyhareartist/