Holly Bendall | Illustrationist & Sculptor | South West England | UK
Holly is an artist known for flowing between drawing and sculpture, following threads of excitement and curiosity as she navigates life through her practice. Holly’s subtle pencil lines convey so much movement and emotion in such few marks.
Her most recent public sculpture “Waiting for Fish” (also known as Dave & Bird) beautifully combines art, impact, and ocean storytelling. The sculpture highlights the role that small-scale fishing has in supporting local communities and working in tune with the natural rhythms of nature.
Holly’s talents have resulted in coverage in Drift Magazine, BBC News, and Cornwall Live, just to name a few.
When did you first start your storytelling journey?
I first started documenting Dave and Bird when I first drew them in Cadgwith Cove in March 2021.
What are the fondest memories from your upbringing, that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?
Growing up by the sea has had a huge impact on my life, I can never be away from it for too long. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to swimming, sailing and windsurfing from a young age. I then got into kitesurfing, surfing, and beach lifeguarding. My days revolve around the tides and the sunrises and sunsets.
What path did you choose after leaving school?
I studied sustainable product design alongside beach lifeguarding throughout the summer months, I then worked in sustainability, product design for sportswear companies, sports marketing for red bull, and managing the global social media channels for a bike company, after that last role of being 'always on' and glued to a screen I burnt out, I quit my job and sold my house and that’s when I took time out to realign with my values and purpose.
I started drawing and writing poetry and all of this creativity and passion came pouring out. I sold my house, which gave me a year to focus on my creative practice, in which I started on the journey of sculpting Dave and Bird.
Dave and Bird highlight the importance of small boat fishing on a local scale in Cornwall to then reach a wider audience and share the global impact of overfishing on our marine life.
What do you value most in life?
Love, honesty, following and sharing your passions, and being kind.
Who/what currently inspires you?
Creative people with interesting minds, positive, uplifting change makers. R.Buckminster Fuller for his visions of a sustainable future, Mary Olivers poems really sparked something in me, perhaps because of our mutual love for the more than human world. Antony Gormley for his public sculptures and thoughts on how we exist within the realms of time and space. Jane Goodall for her endless hope and fight to protect the rights of every living creature.
Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking?
Books:
R.Buckminster Fuller - Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth
Jane Goodall - The Book of Hope
Yvon Chouinard - Let My People Go Surfing
Mary Oliver - Devotions
Bruno Munari Design As Art
Documentaries:
Bruce Parry's documentary TAWAI
The Cove
Seaspiracy
My Octopus Teacher
Blue Planet
Maiden the inspiring documentary on breaking stereotypes and not giving up hope
Poem written and read by Mike Lay
Film by Seth Hughes
What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?
I would like people to be more connected with themselves and nature.
To realise our impact, we are a part of nature, and we can all make small changes to our lifestyles to help protect the world in which we live. By sharing relatable heart touching stories that bring hope and joy. Once we understand and can relate to something, we can connect, and when we love something, we want to protect it, that’s my mission.
What legacy do you hope to leave?
I hope to inspire change through creativity, to raise awareness of issues much greater than ourselves.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an Ocean Storyteller?
If something excites you, follow it with all of your heart, even through the doubt and the hard times, keep persevering, hoping, and believing and I promise opportunities will present themselves through good people believing in your vision too - good things will come.
WEBSITE: www.hollybendall.com
INSTAGRAM: @holly_bendall
