My practice is embedded in public realm, site-specific online and terrestrial artwork installations. I compose complex soundworks combining my recordings of oral history, field recording and research, & design scluptural instatllations to house them.
My arts practice currently is predominately with sound for projects and commissions that enage with the social and environmental status of our collective experiance, both historically and now. I use different materials and processes tailored to a specific situation or environment to create work collaborating with communities, creatives from different disciplines, scientists and historians. I use my research into the narratives of place, people, the patina of human occupation, and the geographical impact of the location on the way we live to create soundworks and installations. I work to commission and develop self-initiated projects developing ideas through research and working with partners and groups in the community to generate the content and material for the artwork. My driving inspiration is ‘Sense of Place’ and how this develops over time. Using material that I record, draw, and research using contemporary sources and historical archives. I incorporate symbols, text, spoken words, and recorded sounds to create an environment, virtual and terrestrial, that provides a setting where we can interpret and distill different elements into a representation of a moment or situation that can provoke or inspire. I also work as an artist and consultant for Arts in Healthcare, and I am founder member of Radiator Arts, a Community Arts Company based in Hastings. I have been commissioned to make work for Hospitals, Gallery and Museum exhibitions, and created installations and performances in the South East, Southport, Leeds, Hull, Bridport, Harwich, Deptford and Eastbourne.
The Sun Feeds the Wind
'sounds like'
PLEASE WRITE ME
Tressells Children, 2023
The Sun Feeds the Wind
'sounds like'
PLEASE WRITE ME
Tressells Children, 2023
Mary Hooper. Visual Artist, Sound Artist and Curator. m: 07939645939 e: ma.hooper1@btinternet.com W: eliseandmary & SOUNDCLOUD & Instagram
Short Bio:
My arts practice is site-specific, using of a wide range of materials and processes to create installations, objects, and sound-works. I collaborate with artists from different disciplines, writers and musicians, incorporating research into the narratives of place, people, the patina of human occupation, and the geographical impact of the location on our sense of identity. I work to commission or developing self-initiated projects developing ideas through research and working with partners and groups in the community to generate the content and material for the artwork. The theme that constantly fascinates me is ‘Sense of Place’ and how that develops over time.
Using material that I record, draw, and research using contemporary sources and historical archives. I incorporate symbols, text, spoken words, and recorded sounds to create an environment, virtual and terrestrial, that provides a setting where we can interpret and distill different elements into a representation of a moment or situation that can provoke or inspire. I also work as an artist and consultant for Arts in Healthcare, and I am founder member of Radiator Arts, a Community Arts Company based in Hastings since 2004. I have been commissioned to make work for Hospitals, Gallery and Museum exhibitions, and created installations and performances in the South East, Southport, Leeds, Hull, Brid- port, Harwich, Deptford and Eastbourne. Links: https://www.hastingscontemporary.org/events/the-sun-feeds-the-wind/
Current and recent commissions: January - September 2025 a major commission for Hastings Contemporary art Gallery 'The Sun Feeds the Wind' a multi-media installation, in partnership with Hastings Fishermens Protection Society. https://www.hastingscontemporary.org/events/the-sun-feeds-the-wind/ Sound commissions for MSL digital 2023-5 as part of creating multi-media installations to interpret and animate historical events -
- July 2020 Developing content and hosting 2 online salons for MSL Digital as part of a series of 7 salons broadcast on Hastings Isolation Station and utube. - Looking for America Ground - Pick and Unpick - Pick and Unpick - The Great Storm of 1834 - September 2019/20 Taking part in ‘Is this for Everyone’ MSL hosted series of workshops to create an audio visual work for MSL Digital. - June - September 2020 Developing digital practice and Sonic Art knowledge and production skills; attending 3 online Soundart and Electro-acoustic courses. - August 2020, Commission for Coastal Currents from MSL Productions. -Recording and Creating sound scapes for trailer for a major theatrical event linking the wreck of the Amsterdam and current coastline threats due to climate change - in development.
- 2024 “Please Write Me” collaboration with Artist Kate Illes creating a sound work for MA final showcase for montage wall mounted artwork reflecting on women and mental health from an historical perspective using found artefacts - https://on.soundcloud.com/QBuT3Q46uHTUag1LA - Sound commissions for Blue Heart Flood engagement project for Eastbourne and Wealden ReadingWater 2023, and for 'Blue Heart' history of the Bourne project in 2024 - Sound installations for Curious Town Dreams in Hastings 2023 &2024 Funghilious https://on.soundcloud.com/RGkF1REYxuqFUR2VA Tent - https://on.soundcloud.com/WKLx4EVFnuNVotsJ7 - Sound Trail commission for Rye Harbour Nature Reserve. Rye Harbour Nature Reserve - Research and Development for Sound Trail project for DLWP and Heart of Sidley for 2023-24. - Commission for Friends of Coombe Valley in St. Leonards to record and create Sound Trails revealing the history of the Coombe Valley Country Park and its flora and fauna. 2022. Combe Valley Biography 2019/22 Artist Residency at Chartwell, school and community workshops, design, production and installation of art public trail.
MARY HOOPER SUMMARY OF ARTS PRACTICE 2018 - 2025 -2021 Funding Awards in 2021 & 2022 for creative practice development from AN artists information company and ACE. - July 2020 Developing content and hosting 2 online salons for MSL Digital as part of a series of 7 salons broadcast on Hastings Isolation Station and utube. - Looking for America Ground - Pick and Unpick - Pick and Unpick - The Great Storm of 1834 - September 2019/20 Taking part in ‘Is this for Everyone’ MSL hosted series of workshops to create an audio visual work for MSL Digital. - June - September 2020 Developing digital practice and Sonic Art knowledge and production skills; attending 3 online Soundart and Electro-acoustic courses. - Part of Artists’ collaboration for ‘Vacant Space’ in Priory Meadow led by Amanda Jobson, an AXIS funded and supported initiative.
February 2022 Sound art commission to create 2 history sound walks for Combe Valley Nature Park, on Soundcloud, Echoes, and Podbean
2021 Commission for CREATIVE COAST ART TRAIL. Creating with volunteers an art geocache and sound-works for Fairlight Country park reflecting the history of the site.
2021 sound art commission for Bexhill Night Light Festival -
2020 ongoing: Oral History of Hastings Fishermen - ‘Fish Tale’ as part of Intangible Cultural Heritage project for Hastings Museum and Hastings Fishermen’s Protection Society. This work was developed for a 2025 major coastal education and arts project. Now active
