Having studied at Mosely School of Art and Craft and Birmingham College of Art from 1960-1967, Hayes spent nearly ten years travelling and working in Africa, India, Japan and Korea before returning to England and establishing his studio in Bath. His monolithic vessel forms are characterised by cracked and blackened surfaces, achieved by the submersion of the raku-fired works for long period of time in flowing and tidal waters, which areĀ polished to create an integral patina.