Whether based on ancient or modern themes, Hilary Adair’s prints are always captivating. With a keen interest in the handmade image, she employs traditional printmaking methods. Living in Greece for 11 formative years was such an exhilarating experience it has provided support for her work ever since. Hilary derives great satisfaction in noting the classical influence upon Britain from ancient times.
‘Mostly an 18th century phenomenon, the Greek spirit is evident all over the world, in its buildings, ceramics and sculpture. My earliest student prints were forerunners of what was to come. I produced a suite of three etchings and three silkscreen prints based on the Calf Bearer, the magnificent ancient Greek sculpture of the Archaic period, housed in the Acropolis Museum, Athens.’
Literature, poetry, myths, gods, temples and interiors also provide a wealth of inspiration for Hilary. ‘My work has often been the result of sketching in the great outdoors, one of the pleasures of being, an etching by the contemporary printmaker Richard Bawden. It gives me pleasure every time I look at it.’
