Hannah Speed

Hannah Speed is an emerging artist and designer who focuses on simple shapes to let texture and material take centre stage. She believes in stripping forms back to their essentials so that the surface, feel, and depth of a piece can speak for itself. Deeply inspired by her surroundings, Hannah is passionate about working with natural materials sourced from New Zealand, allowing the raw beauty of the landscape to guide her creative process. From a young age, she has always been drawn to making and experimenting, a spirit that continues to shape her practice today. For Hannah, creating is not just a profession but a way of connecting with the world around her through honest, tactile, and considered design.

Experience

Hannah’s art has been exhibited at Linden New Art and the APC Art Show, where she received the Best in Show award 2024. She has also displayed her work at cafés.

She is open to commissions and always exploring new ways to connect with audiences through her work.

An exploration in texture

This year, Hannah is studying design, further developing her approach to composition, materiality, and visual storytelling. Her work, often described as "hugs on a wall," embraces softness and texture, creating pieces that bring comfort and presence to a space.

The central material in her practice is natural wool sourced from Ashford in New Zealand. This wool is not only incredibly soft and tactile, but also environmentally responsible. Sourced from ethically raised sheep, it is a 100% renewable, biodegradable, and natural fibre with a low environmental footprint compared to synthetic materials.

Wool’s natural qualities extend beyond sustainability. It has built-in insulation and sound-absorbing properties, making it ideal for artworks that contribute to a quiet, soothing atmosphere. Its breathable structure also helps regulate moisture and temperature, enhancing the comfort of a space while remaining durable and timeless in design.

Hannah chooses wool not only for its soft, organic texture but for its alignment with her values; to create art that is beautiful, lasting, and conscious of its environmental impact. Each piece is thoughtfully framed in Tasmanian oak, completing the work with a warm, natural structure.