Hannah Bays (b. 1982) is a London based painter who graduated from the Royal Academy Schools in London, 2015.

Through painting, Hannah Bays explores psychological terrain associated with the sacred, the profane and the transformational. Familiar objects are used symbolically to convey existential meaning, whilst gesturing towards broader philosophical, social, and global concerns. These objects within the paintings echo the ritualistic potency of ceremonial vessels that hold our deepest desires, memories, and fears. 

Drawing upon mythological and folkloric references, Bays often anthropomorphises animals and everyday objects, playing with scale to shuffle hierarchical relations. Colour is employed emotively, with line and form expressive of a bold desire - the sensual properties of paint a vehicle for meaning. 

Recent exhibitions include: I’m Not Afraid of Ghosts, Palazzo Tiepolo Passi in Venice, Italy, Confessions, which was a solo exhibition at Jack’s House, London, and ABG Emerging, Alice Black Gallery, London which were all in 2024 as well as Muscle Beach, two-person exhibition with Ana Kazaroff, Kupfer Project, London in 2021 

Residencies include the Malevich Residency, Lake Como, 2021; Dover Arts Club Drawing Room Residency, 2020; Eton College Artist in Residence, 2018 and RRU Artist in Residence, Liverpool, also in 2018.