HANNAH WATTS

My work is very graphic, taking inspiration largely from antique woven textiles, largely from the African continent. Over the years and from my travels I have built up a small collection of textiles and always refer back to them when making a new piece of work. They all tell their own story; different styles and colours relating to different places or tribes.

I work with stoneware clay and use a technique called Sgraffito to carve my designs into the clay. I work with two or three coloured designs, leaving the clay exposed or painting over it to bring in another layer of colour.

I have spent a lot of time in Cape Town. My art and designs are largely inspired by the vibrancy of the city. The thing that captivates me the most is the energy of the place itself - not just the people, but the colours, sounds and the dramatic scenery of the landscape. Last winter I spent six months out there, using this period of time to fully engage with my craft and to create and learn in an environment which deeply inspires me.

I enjoy the concept of art not just being for the walls but in the whole make up of the home. I have always been interested in interior design and the way art can bring a house together to create a personality and express the owner's life through items they have collected over their lifetime. 

I love the idea of everything you own to have its purpose as well as being aesthetically pleasing; whether it's a candlestick to bring you light and ambience around the dinner table or a large platter to serve your guests food. 

I value good design and only like to buy things that I will enjoy, both aesthetically and practically. I design my pieces with this in mind - I like that my platters can be used as their original intention (to serve food) but they can also be enjoyed everyday by hanging them in the home.

Hannah Watts (b.1997) is a multidisciplinary artist based in London. She studied fine art at Edinburgh College of Art, The Florence Academy of Art, and graphic design at Shillington College. She uses a combination of these different mediums within her work. Graphic design plays a key role in her drawing style, using geometric shapes and patterns.

After working under various Interior Designers in London, Hannah decided to branch out on her own to focus on her own art and designs and founded her design studio, Silo Studio in 2022, progressing her designs onto fabric, lamps and other forms of ceramics.