Phil Hayes is a Melbourne-based Australian artist whose work explores the collision of suburban life, extinction, myth, and collective memory through dark humour and meticulous craftsmanship. Best known for his iconic dog character and recurring thylacine paintings, his practice examines what society chooses to protect, remember, or forget.

With more than 30 years of artistic practice, over 200 group exhibitions, and 12 solo shows, Hayes' work is held in collections across Japan, the United States, and Europe.

After beginning his career as a fine art lecturer, he moved into the surf industry, becoming Head Designer at Rip Curl before leading design and development for Quiksilver across Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

Now working full-time as an artist back in Australia, Hayes has increasingly focused on the thylacine as a symbol of extinction, loss, myth, and human impact within the Australian psyche.