Maya Hughes
Maya Hughes is a British ceramic artist whose work seamlessly blends traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics resulting in pieces that resonate with natural beauty and tactile appeal.
Maya’s journey into ceramics was influenced by her grandparents’ studio, where she first engaged with clay during her childhood. This early exposure ignited a passion that led her to pursue formal training, including a two-year full-time diploma at Clay College, completed in 2024. Prior to this, she apprenticed with potter Ximena Heasman and undertook a three-month intensive course at the Forest Row School of Ceramics.
Maya’s creations are distinguished by their organic forms and the harmonious integration of clay, surface decoration, glaze, and firing techniques. She celebrates the natural materials with which she works entirely rooted in the earth. The fact that she can use materials which she collect in nature from various sentimental locations around her has captured her attention, connecting her work to the earth and infusing each piece with a sense of place and history.
Functionality is central to Maya’s philosophy; she designs her pots to be held and used, encouraging an intimate interaction between the user and the object. The subtle layering of materials and firing processes results in unique variations, inviting users to appreciate the intricate details and textures. Maya strives to allow each piece to “speak for itself,” maintaining its vitality and individuality by minimising overworking and preserving the inherent qualities of the clay.
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