Priscilla Hann’s journey into the world of art started with, in her own words, "some quite horrible modelling" during her school years. Despite this humble beginning, she was accepted into Wolverhampton College of Art, much to her surprise, and from there, her passion and skills continued to grow. Now, 65 years later, Scilla has become a celebrated sculptor, creating lifelike representations of animals that reflect her deep connection to nature and the countryside.
A Lifetime of Creativity
Scilla’s artistic career has been anything but conventional. After studying at Wolverhampton College, she embarked on a graduate course in America, where she experimented with modular construction and abstract work. However, upon returning to Shropshire, her career took a turn when a friend asked her to sculpt a horse. That commission sparked a passion for animal sculptures that has only grown over the years.
Her work is often inspired by the animals she sculpts, with horses taking centre stage. “Horses are much less likely to lie down, unlike dogs,” she laughs, recalling a time when both a mare and a foal took a nap while she was trying to capture them in clay.
Sculpting Inspiration
Scilla draws inspiration from renowned artists like Cyrus Dallin, famous for his work advocating for Native American rights, and Dylan Lewis, whose stunning sculptures of African wildlife, particularly cheetahs, have influenced her own artistic direction. Clay remains her favourite medium, though she dabbles in plasticine and wax for smaller pieces.
Working from her garage-turned-studio in the countryside, Priscilla’s workspace has evolved over the years to accommodate her ever-growing sculptures. “I even built a poly tunnel to house a life-sized fisherman I was working on, alongside two life-sized wolfhounds,” she explains.
Highs, Lows, and Cats!
One of her career highlights was creating a New Forest mare and foal sculpture for Ringwood. In addition, Scilla has created an impressive range of works for a single collector, including a driving horse, labradors, sheep and even a cloaked figure. But with every success comes the occasional mishap. She recalls walking into her studio one morning to find a work in progress draped awkwardly across a stand – the cat had snuck in during the night and knocked it over!
Daily Studio Life
When it comes to her creative routine, Scilla prefers the mornings, though she admits her schedule is flexible. Accompanied by Radio 4 or Classic FM, and fuelled by coffee, her days are spent shaping clay into remarkable lifelike figures. Evenings sometimes involve a glass of wine and some mini cheddars, which she shares with her whippet – a snack they both enjoy.
Where to Find Priscilla’s Work
As well as in The Artists' Gallery, you can also find Priscilla’s sculptures at Ilka Gansera Leveque’s Gallery cum Racing Yard in Newmarket, or at the Furlong Shopping Centre in Ringwood.
Many of Scilla's pieces are also in private collections, a testament to her enduring talent and the lasting appeal of her work.
A Reignited Passion
After joining the collective at The Artists' Gallery, Scilla admits it has "re-enthused this old girl" and given her the motivation to continue creating. With decades of experience and a portfolio filled with beautiful, bespoke pieces, it’s clear that Priscilla Hann’s artistic journey is far from over – and her love for sculpting animals continues to shine through every creation.
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