Torquay Times

The Torquay Times: An arts profile on Portland-born printmaker and Rip Curl artist Phil Hayes, covering his work, his suburban imagery, his path into the surf industry and his growing international exhibition record. Published in The Torquay Times, January 1995.

Published in The Torquay Times, this arts profile covers Phil Hayes at 31, already exhibiting sculpture, prints, etchings and drawings since 1985 across Australia and overseas.

Primarily a printmaker working with etching and screen printing, Hayes draws his imagery from everyday suburban life: toasters, vacuum cleaners, dogs, kennels, garages, sheds, cars, houses, gardens and fences. The completed works read as quiet stories about Australian suburbia.

Before joining the surf industry, Hayes lectured in printmaking at Ballarat Grammar, Ballarat C.A.E., the University of Tasmania, Rosny Senior College Hobart, Claremont College Hobart and the University of Newcastle. He also served as Artist in Residence at Morongo College in Geelong and the Arts Institute at the University of NSW.

His path to Rip Curl came by chance through his brother-in-law. After submitting his CV on a whim, he was called the very next day, flown for an interview and hired three weeks later. At Rip Curl he worked alongside head designer Grant Forbes, designing footwear, logos, T-shirts, surfwear, ski wear, wetsuits, promotional accessories and displays.

His most recent solo exhibition at Ryrie Street Art Gallery was a strong success, with many works sold. Internationally, Hayes had received regular invitations to exhibit in England, Belgium, France, Spain and Lithuania, and had participated in the Osaka Print Triennale 1994 and the 17th International Exhibition of Prints in Kanagawa, Japan.