MARK HEARLD HAND-PAINTED CERAMIC HORSE

Artist: Mark Hearld
Price: £800.00
Date: Not dated
Format: Unique hand-painted ceramic
Condition: Fine
Size: 44.1cm long x 36.2cm high x 14.5cm wide

DESCRIPTION:

One of his earlier ceramic horses, signed ‘MH’ rather than in full. Mark produced these horses over a number of years and this is made using a much more uncommon colour palette. There is minor crazing to the glaze, as usual, but this is in fine, bright, clean condition. Provenance: From the collection of Sarah Parvin.

Mark Hearld: A Short Biography

Mark Hearld (born 1974, York, England) is a contemporary British artist, illustrator, printmaker, and designer celebrated for his richly textured depictions of the natural world. His multidisciplinary practice encompasses collage, printmaking, ceramics, textiles, and book illustration, uniting fine art and craft through a distinctively British sensibility rooted in observation, imagination, and the joy of making.

Early Life and Education

Mark Hearld was born and raised in Yorkshire, where his fascination with the countryside began early. His childhood was spent exploring rural landscapes, observing wildlife, and drawing animals — habits that would form the foundation of his artistic voice.

He studied Illustration at the Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1997, before completing a Master’s degree in Natural History Illustration at the Royal College of Art, London. There, he refined his observational skills and developed an interest in how the natural world could be reinterpreted through design and pattern.

Artistic Development and Influences

Hearld’s art draws inspiration from British flora and fauna, folk traditions, and mid-twentieth-century British artists such as Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, and John Piper. He also acknowledges the influence of Picasso’s collages and ceramics, particularly in the spontaneity and rhythm of his compositions.

His work embodies a reverence for the natural world filtered through the language of design. He transforms familiar subjects — birds, foxes, hares, hedgerows, and farmyards — into dynamic arrangements of colour and form. Each piece reveals a balance between careful observation and creative improvisation, combining accuracy with expressive freedom.

Media and Methods

Hearld works across a wide range of materials and processes. His collages, often made from hand-painted or found papers, form the heart of his practice. They are layered, textured, and full of movement, evoking the spontaneity of the natural world.

He also produces linocuts, lithographs, and screenprints, each reflecting his command of pattern and rhythm. His work extends naturally into ceramic decoration, wallpapers, and fabrics, where his motifs translate beautifully into domestic and interior settings.

His textile and wallpaper designs, such as the well-known Harvest Hare pattern, have become modern classics of British design. These works bridge the divide between fine art and applied art, reaffirming the unity of craft and creativity in everyday life.

Exhibitions and Collaborations

Since the early 2000s, Hearld’s work has been exhibited widely across the United Kingdom. His debut solo exhibition was presented in York in 2001, marking the beginning of a prolific career. Subsequent shows at institutions such as the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, The Scottish Gallery, and Godfrey & Watt have established his reputation as one of Britain’s leading contemporary artists inspired by nature.

Hearld has collaborated with numerous publishers, designers, and makers. His illustrations for Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature introduced his work to a younger audience, while his Work Book (2012) and Raucous Invention: The Joy of Making (2022) document his creative process in depth.

He has also designed stage sets and contributed to film projects, including art direction for Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (2010). His curatorial work includes the re-display of the Folk Art Collection at Compton Verney in 2018, demonstrating his deep engagement with British cultural heritage.

Style and Philosophy

Hearld’s art celebrates abundance, vitality, and the hand-made. He approaches his subjects with a collector’s eye and a maker’s hand, often surrounding himself with found objects, antique books, and folk art, all of which feed into his visual language.

His practice rejects the sterile precision of purely digital design in favour of tactile experimentation. He values the marks of process — the texture of paper, the irregularity of a cut, the overlap of colour — as integral to the final composition.

Central to Hearld’s philosophy is the joy of making: a belief that creativity flourishes through direct engagement with materials. His work encourages a renewed appreciation of the natural world, not through grand gestures but through attentive observation and playful interpretation.

Legacy and Continuing Work

Mark Hearld continues to live and work in York, where his home and studio reflect the eclectic and exuberant spirit of his art. His work is represented by leading galleries, and his designs feature in homes and collections across the country.

He is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary British art — a figure who bridges fine art, craft, and design with authenticity and imagination. His contribution lies not only in his visual output but also in his reaffirmation of the handmade as a vital form of cultural expression.

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Visit Hornseys today to explore our fine collection of Mark Hearld’s works and other artworks. Whether you are an avid collector or looking for a special gift, our selection offers something truly unique. Located since 1976 in Ripon in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, we are recognized as a destination gallery for tastefully curated artwork, design, and fine books.