Graham Hay Pathway to International Success

This interview with ceramic artist and educator Graham Hay is a concise, first‑hand story of how a childhood spent fixing wire fences, making rope, and watching metal forged in a farm workshop became the foundation for a life in sculpture and ceramics.

In this short video, Graham explains:

• Why painting and drawing felt too flat, and why sculpture and ceramics immediately made sense to him.

• How extra hours in the ceramics studio, a focus on hand‑building, and access to clay facilities helped him develop as a maker.

• How he first encountered paper clay, used it to solve technical problems like warping tiles, and quickly pushed the material into more radical sculptural forms.

• What it was like starting out alone at the kitchen table, staging an unsuccessful first exhibition in an empty condemned shop, and slowly learning how the art world really works.

• How art school, peer groups, national competitions, and reviews in international ceramics journals led to his first overseas commission and a sustainable ceramic art practice.

Frequently Asked Questions about Graham Hay and this Interview

Who is Graham Hay?
Graham Hay is a ceramic artist and sculptor known for his experimental use of paper clay, decades of studio practice, and extensive experience teaching ceramics and leading workshops.

What is this interview about?
The interview traces Graham’s journey from practical farm work and early making skills to discovering paper clay, refining his sculptural language, and building a professional ceramic art career.

Why is paper clay important in his work?
Paper clay allows Graham to combine the immediacy of hand‑shaped clay with structural strength, making it possible to build more complex, experimental ceramic sculptures.

Who should watch this video?
Ceramic artists, sculptors, art students, and makers who want a realistic, experience‑based insight into developing a material‑led practice and navigating the early stages of an art career.

How does this video fit into the wider series?
This interview is part of a broader series on ceramics and paper clay, which includes technical tutorials and a comprehensive paper clay masterclass with Graham Hay.

Ready to go deeper with Graham?

If this interview sparked ideas for your own paper clay work, you’ll love Graham Hay’s Radical Paper Clay Masterclass on Proartika. In this online course, Graham shows you exactly how he works with paper clay, from core techniques to radical joining methods, hybrid materials, and strategies for developing a distinctive, contemporary sculptural practice.

Enrol in Radical Paper Clay Masterclass today to get:

• Lifetime access to 77 step‑by‑step video lessons

• Guidance from an internationally recognised paper clay pioneer

• Practical methods you can apply immediately in your own studio

Useful links:

To Enrol in the Radical Paper Clay Masterclass with Graham Hay now (click here)

For more information about the Masterclass with Graham (click here).