Joya: AiR / Henrietta McPhee / GBR

“To stay at Joya: AiR is an immediate immersion into an alternative way of existing; living simply, artistically, and attentively. Joya is situated high up, and I loved waking up in the morning in the clouds. Their moisture brings out the scent of rosemary, thyme, and pine growing on the hills. I enjoyed wandering in these hills, collecting fossils and other natural treasures. It was easy to focus on my work in this peaceful atmosphere.   

 During my stay I dug up some wild clay and used it to make sculptures, a mud beetle house and a snail-shell shaped dew catcher. When finished I placed them back in the land, joining some of the other artworks left by previous residents. I also made paintings on tiles of Fou Fou the family goat, the water catchment pool designed by Simon and Donna, and the beautiful landscape.   

 My stay at Joya and the hills of Velez Blanco will be very memorable. I met some lovely people, artists, playwrights, musicians.. We enjoyed delicious meals together prepared by Donna and had wonderful dinnertime conversations.  

I feel very privileged to have spent time at Joya: AiR and would love to return one day.  

Henrietta MacPhee

Henrietta MacPhee is a British artist whose practise is centred in clay. She graduated from City Lit in 2017 with a Diploma in Ceramics and works from her studio in South London.
Her work was selected for a number of prestigious shows in the UK including ‘Artworks’ organised by the Barbican Arts Group and curated by Turner prize contender Tai Shani.
In 2019 MacPhee was invited to present her work at the International Ceramics Festival in Aberystwyth, Wales as one of four artists selected for the Emerging Makers Award.
More recently her ceramic sculpture 'Banana fan' was exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in 2020.