Holly Hickmore stands as a distinguished contemporary sculptor, celebrated for her evocative bronze works that masterfully capture the essence and spirit of the natural world, with a particular focus on equine subjects. Her artistic foundation is rooted in a rigorous classical education received at The Hungarian School of Art, which provided her with a profound understanding of anatomy and form. This academic discipline underpins her unique artistic philosophy: a persistent exploration of the “fascinating conundrum” of seeking the “soul” within her subjects, aiming to evoke a deep, “felt response” in the viewer.
Hickmore’s deep connection to the Hampshire countryside serves as both her home and primary wellspring of inspiration. This intimate relationship with her environment imbues her sculptures with an authentic vitality. Her significant public presence is underscored by recurring exhibitions at prestigious venues such as the Royal Ascot Sculpture Trail, where her work has been featured for a fourth consecutive year, a testament to her established reputation and consistent demand. Furthermore, her sculptures are represented in galleries across the UK, Europe, and the USA, indicating a substantial international reach and market presence. The meticulous craftsmanship and collaborative process involved in creating her limited-edition bronze sculptures, particularly her partnership with the renowned Morris Singer foundry, ensure their exceptional quality and enduring artistic and investment value. The combination of classical training and the use of a high-quality, durable medium like bronze, especially from a distinguished foundry, immediately conveys a sense of seriousness and artistic integrity. This commitment to enduring quality and classical principles positions her work as a valuable acquisition for discerning collectors who prioritize longevity and artistic excellence.
Holly Hickmore is an artist whose work transcends mere physical representation, delving into the very spirit of her subjects. Her artistic journey is driven by a profound passion for sculpture, a fervor that is equally matched by her deep love for the countryside. This dual passion forms the core of her artistic identity, providing a compelling narrative that resonates deeply within her work. The Hampshire countryside, where her studio is nestled, is not simply a workspace but a vital source of inspiration and a “safe haven” where her creative process flourishes. This personal and intimate connection to her environment is a defining characteristic of her artistic brand, allowing her to imbue her sculptures with an authentic and deeply personal resonance. The emphasis on her passion and connection to nature establishes an authenticity that can be highly appealing to collectors seeking art with a deeper, more personal narrative, distinguishing her work from purely commercial endeavors. This narrative strengthens her artistic profile, making her more compelling to clients who value art with a clear, heartfelt origin and a genuine connection to its subject matter.
Holly Hickmore’s artistic journey began with a deliberate commitment to the arts following her college studies at Hartpury College. Her pursuit of a rigorous artistic education led her abroad to The Hungarian School of Art. Here, she immersed herself in a classical curriculum, gaining a strong foundation in anatomy and studying the techniques of old masters. This intensive training was a conscious choice, driven by a desire to master craftsmanship and understand the diverse materials inherent to her discipline. This foundational academic rigor is a critical aspect of her artistic development, providing her with the technical prowess to translate complex forms into compelling sculptures.
Upon completing her training, Hickmore returned to her roots, establishing her studio in West Meon, nestled in the heart of the Hampshire countryside. Significantly, this location is the very farm where she first learned to ride. This “coming full circle” narrative adds a deeply personal and lyrical dimension to her professional journey, highlighting the organic and inseparable connection between her life experiences and her artistic output. The combination of her classical education and the location of her studio on a personally significant, animal-rich farm reveals a powerful synergy between rigorous technical mastery and profound personal connection to her subject matter. This demonstrates that her artistic skill is not merely theoretical but is deeply informed by practical, intimate knowledge of her subjects, particularly horses. Her anatomical understanding, honed through classical training, is directly applied and enriched by the animals she observes and loves in her daily life, creating a unique blend of academic precision and authentic, lived passion. Within this vibrant studio environment, Hickmore undertakes both public and private commissions, alongside her own artistic practice, showcasing her versatility and active engagement within the commercial art sphere.
At the intellectual and emotional core of Holly Hickmore’s art lies a central philosophical quest: the “fascinating conundrum” of striving to find something as intangible as the soul, driven by the continuous ambition to “bring clay to life”. This pursuit elevates her work beyond mere physical representation, aiming for a profound spiritual depth. Her primary objective is to create a “felt response” in the viewer, fostering a dialogue between the subject’s inherent personality, observed behaviors, and her own perceptions and emotions. This emphasis on emotional impact ensures that her sculptures resonate on a deeper, more visceral level.
The abundant wildlife surrounding her Hampshire studio, particularly horses, serves as a constant and profound source of inspiration. Hickmore employs unique methods of observation to gather reference material, including riding through the countryside, canoeing on water, and utilizing a converted 4×4 van as a mobile hide and studio. These approaches allow her to observe elusive wildlife without disturbance, enabling her to sketch and work directly from life, a practice she continually strives for. This dedication to authentic, firsthand observation ensures a genuine connection to her subjects.
Her thematic interests are particularly evident in her “Olympian Series,” which draws deep inspiration from the ancient motif of the horse. Through this series, she explores profound ideals such as liberty, independence, and the indomitable spirit of the untamed frontier. The sculptures within this series aim to reflect the majesty, nobility, power, and resilience that horses symbolize, often drawing parallels to mythological figures like Pegasus and the Greek Goddess of the Hunt, Artemis. This exploration of universal concepts through animal forms adds significant interpretative depth to her pieces. While horses are a central motif, Hickmore’s artistic scope extends to other countryside animals, including roe bucks, red stags, pigs, geese, and barn owls , demonstrating the breadth of her connection to the natural world. Her stated goal of capturing the “soul” and evoking a “felt response” elevates her work beyond typical animal sculpture, transforming it into a deeper philosophical inquiry that appeals to a broader and more sophisticated art audience. This philosophical underpinning adds significant intellectual weight and marketability to her work, positioning her as an artist whose pieces offer contemplative depth, appealing to collectors who value art that provokes thought and emotion, not solely aesthetic pleasure.
Holly Hickmore’s artistic process begins with an initial idea, often explored through various maquettes or working studies before scaling up to larger forms. This iterative approach demonstrates a thoughtful and deliberate conceptualization phase. Her primary medium for the initial sculpt is clay; she first welds a steel framework and then commences work in clay. Throughout this stage, her process is characterized as a “continual dialogue between form, material, and subject,” reflecting her unwavering commitment to capturing the intrinsic essence of her chosen subject.
A crucial transition occurs once the clay sculpt is complete: it embarks on a journey to be cast in bronze. This transformation involves a highly skilled team and the expertise of the “renowned Morris Singer foundry”. The casting process utilizes the “lost wax process,” an ancient and meticulous technique that ensures exceptional fidelity to the original clay sculpt and the creation of a timeless, durable material that will endure for generations. The collaboration with a prestigious foundry like Morris Singer, known for its high-quality bronze sculptures for prominent artists, coupled with the use of the precise lost wax method, signifies Hickmore’s commitment to the highest standards of craftsmanship and production. This partnership implies that her works are not only artistically strong but also technically superior, ensuring their longevity and preserving their artistic integrity over time. This choice reflects a deliberate investment in the quality and permanence of her art.
The final stages of production include patination, a complex journey involving numerous skilled hands, underscoring the collective effort and expertise invested in each finished piece. Her unique methods for gathering reference material, such as riding, canoeing, and using a converted 4×4 van as a mobile hide to observe wildlife and work from life, further underscore her dedication to authentic and deeply informed representation in her work.
Holly Hickmore’s artistic style is characterized by a distinctive blend of classical inspiration with a modern interpretation. This fusion is exemplified by works such as ‘Artemis,’ which is described as capturing “timeless qualities in a modern masterpiece”. She is widely renowned for her “expressive equine forms” , consistently returning to the subject of the horse, which serves as a central motif in her oeuvre. Her horse sculptures are particularly noted for their ability to capture the “spirit of power and movement,” transcending static representation to convey dynamic vitality. This stylistic fusion allows her work to resonate with both traditionalists who appreciate timeless beauty and contemporary art enthusiasts seeking freshness and relevance, significantly broadening her market reach. Her ability to capture “spirit” and “movement” rather than just static anatomy, combined with her classical grounding, elevates her work from mere animal portraiture to dynamic, emotionally charged sculpture.
The “Olympian Series” stands as a testament to her thematic depth, being profoundly inspired by the ancient motif of the horse and exploring ideals of liberty, independence, and the indomitable spirit. While horses are prominent, Hickmore’s portfolio demonstrates a broader engagement with the natural world. Her gallery features a diverse array of subjects including various deer (such as “Roe Deer Buck,” “Family of Roe Deer,” “Royal Stag,” and “Stag Interior”), other animals like “Donkey,” “Guineafowl,” “Pheasant,” “Goose,” “Cow,” “Pig,” “Barn Owl,” and “Ghillie the Labrador”. Additional notable works include “Arcadia,” “The Greet,” “Looking Out,” “Round Head,” “ZiZi be Cool,” “Rose In a Mullion,” “Start Gate,” “Sun Hit,” “Murphy,” “Table Top Arcadia,” “Crescendo and Andante,” “Sight Hound,” “Xvanthos,” “Balius,” “Daisy,” “Plough Horse,” “Bucephalus,” “Against the Odds,” “Helios,” and “Equilibrium”. This extensive range showcases her versatility and comprehensive artistic engagement with the natural environment.
Holly Hickmore’s active engagement within the art world and the increasing visibility of her work are evidenced by her substantial public presence and professional recognition. Her sculptures are represented in galleries across the UK, Europe, and the USA, indicating a significant international reach and an established market presence.
A key highlight of her exhibition history is her consistent participation in the prestigious Royal Ascot Sculpture Trail. Hickmore has exhibited at this event for a “fourth consecutive year” in 2025, a strong indicator of her established reputation and the sustained demand for her art. For the 2025 trail, her exhibited works include “Olympian,” positioned on Montjeu Lawn, and “Gaia,” a life-size equine bust that will be displayed on the Owners and Trainers Lawn in the Queen Anne Enclosure and unveiled as a limited bronze edition of nine. Her involvement in this event also includes collaboration with Justin Gardner and Muse Sculpture Company. Her sustained presence at such a high-profile, exclusive event implies consistent demand, rigorous selection, and significant recognition within the art world, demonstrating not just a single achievement but sustained artistic excellence and market relevance. This provides compelling evidence of her established reputation and strong marketability, assuring potential collectors that they are investing in an artist with proven appeal and a growing public profile.
Further cementing her public profile, Hickmore’s bronze sculpture “Artemis, 2024” was prominently displayed at “The Horsewoman” exhibition at Petersfield Museum from February 18 to May 03, 2025. This exhibition’s focus on equestrian themes, coupled with the museum’s proximity to her studio, reinforces her local connection and prominence within the Hampshire art scene. Her works are also listed at Crane Court Gallery , although specific exhibition dates or types are not detailed there. While specific awards or grants are not explicitly listed in the provided information, her consistent presence at high-profile events like Royal Ascot serves as a powerful testament to her recognition and standing within the art community, acting as a de facto indicator of significant professional achievement.
| Exhibition/Event Name | Venue | Dates | Key Works Exhibited |
| Royal Ascot Sculpture Trail | Ascot Racecourse | 2025 (Fourth consecutive year) | Olympian, Gaia (life-size equine bust, limited edition) |
| The Horsewoman Exhibition | Petersfield Museum | Feb 18 – May 03, 2025 | Artemis (2024) |
| Crane Court Gallery | Crane Court Gallery | Ongoing presence | Artemis (2024, 2025), Acadia, Marengo, Reach, Recoil, Regard, Round Head, etc. |
Holly Hickmore occupies a unique and significant position in contemporary sculpture, characterized by her masterful blend of classical technique with a profound emotional and philosophical approach. Her artistic practice is distinguished by her ability to capture the “intangible” essence of her subjects, particularly the dynamic spirit of the horse and other wildlife, rendered through the timeless and enduring medium of bronze.
The meticulous craftsmanship and collaborative process inherent in her work, notably her partnership with the renowned Morris Singer foundry, guarantee the exceptional quality and longevity of her limited-edition sculptures. This commitment to excellence ensures that each piece is not only aesthetically compelling but also represents a sound and lasting investment. Her growing presence in galleries across the UK, Europe, and the USA , coupled with her consistent participation in high-profile events like the Royal Ascot Sculpture Trail , underscores her rising prominence and the increasing demand for her work. The strategy of producing limited-edition bronze sculptures, combined with broad international gallery representation, points to a deliberate and effective approach to building exclusivity and fostering market value growth for her career. This positions her as a commercially viable and collectible artist with a promising long-term trajectory. For any discerning collector, acquiring a piece by Holly Hickmore offers not just aesthetic beauty, but also a deep narrative, enduring artistic merit, and the potential for long-term appreciation, solidifying her place as a significant figure in contemporary sculpture.
