Talking to Hayley Wall

Artist Hayley Wall's work reframes perspectives around disability, queerness, mental health and gender, whilst also celebrating the resilience of marginalised identities. Hayley enjoys using commercial work to explore prominent social themes, bringing about change and impact through art. Hayley has regularly worked with publications including The New York Times, It’s Nice That, AIGA Eye On Design, and SICK magazine. We spoke with Hayley about their practice, achievements and what is next.⁠ Hayley's works; Untitled, Invisible Disabilities and Femme Visibility are available to buy in our Lino Cut Collection.

1. How would you describe your art in one sentence?
My work reframes perspectives on disability, queerness, gender and mental health to celebrate the resilience of othered identities. 

2. What inspires and influences you?
I am inspired by my community: queer and disabled bodies. The optimism that comes from people who resist and push back against the rigid structures that oppress us. The feeling of movement and continuation through a still image. Evoking feelings of hope.

Hayley Wall, Cover Design for Sick Magazine.

3. Are there any recurring themes in your work that are vital to your practice?
Ambiguously gendered figures offering new possibilities.

4. What has been your proudest achievement to date?
Being commissioned by the New Yorker.

Hayley Wall, The New Yorker 

5. What is next for you and how can people follow what you are up to?
I have recently been awarded a DYCP Arts Council grant to be able to further my skill set and explore animation. You can follow me on Instagram @hayleyemwall.

6. Which living artists do you most admire?
I’m interested and inspired by other contemporary artists and illustrators; how they use their individual visual language to explore their opinions and in doing so offer new perspectives of the world through imagery. Some of my favourites are Derek Abella @derekabella, Sophi Myoko Gullbrants @tomatoseasonoffical and DD Nebula @ddnebula.

7. If you could get a studio tour from any artist throughout history, who would it be?
Paula Rego, I feel her studio would be a gateway to really understand how her curious mind works.

8. What work of art, from either a public or private collection, would you love to have in your life?
Again it would have to be Paula Rego, 'Dog Woman'.

Hayley Wall, Femme Visibility, 2020

Hayley's works; Untitled, Invisible Disabilities and Femme Visibility are available to buy in our Lino Cut Collection, view the works here.