Peter Hay (1951-2003)
Peter Hay grew up in Stockport. After two years studying architecture at Cambridge University, he changed to do Fine Art at Reading University, graduating in 1975. He lived in Cornwall a while but returned to Reading in 1980 where he settled with his partner, Jill.
Peter Hay was an example of a true community artist and was part of Reading’s life in a variety of ways: as happy giving painting and printmaking classes at local colleges as he was creating protest banners against a road planned through a beautiful and historic part of the town.
His fierce respect and defence of what he considered sacred and special about a place led him to start Two Rivers Press. Its first publication was in 1994: Where Two Rivers Meet, the story of Kennet Mouth was a direct result of the Cross town Route protest. Hay illustrated the book with simple rubber stamps. Reading, A Much Maligned Town followed and is a humorous and affectionate ode to the place.
The publishing venture resulted in a bringing together of designers, historians, poets and artists from the town and further afield. He corresponded with Seamus Heaney. He illustrated Christina the Astonishing, a book-length story-poem by poets Lesley Saunders and Jane Draycott. Novelist Helen Dunmore admired his work. The Arts Council was impressed enough to award a substantial grant. In 2019 Two Rivers Press celebrated 25 years. It has over 145 titles to its name.
“The energy generated in trying to protect your own patch from desecration can lead to new ways of doing things. Perhaps art can persuade, although ultimately all I want to do is to make something of beauty and pleasure as a charm against the jackals.”
The decade was a creative time for Peter Hay. His own painting flourished resulting in many bold canvases, often spiritually inspired by his interest in myth and legend. These were a departure from his traditional English landscapes. He collaborated on projects with the University of Reading, the Museum of English Rural Life, as well as with Reading Museum. He undertook public art works in the town and in other parts of the country.
Peter Hay died of cancer in 2003, shortly after his 52nd birthday.
Further Reading
Charms against Jackals, Ten Years of Two Rivers, 2004
The Art of Peter Hay, John Froy and Martin Andrews, Two Rivers Press 2019