Where it began
Hippo is the brainchild of Ione and her daughter Birdie, and born from Ione’s creativity and nutrition knowledge.
Born from a wish to deliver a healthier, happier, respectful, gentler and kinder food chain. And to collaborate, communicate and celebrate within a community space.
Ione is an artist, and naturopathic nutritional therapist. After a lifelong interest in food and health, and the connection between good food and good health, endless reading lists about food, diets, cleanses and detoxes, in 2018 she decided to go back to college to study nutrition science. This undid much of her beliefs and paved the way for a deeper more scientific understanding of the therapeutic qualities in food and their impact on the body at a cellular level.
The study of nutrition science has similarities to studying the universe - vast, far-reaching territories and endless discovery, looking at the infinity within our own bodies rather than the infinity of space! Food is like information, interacting and changing our ecosystems and microbiomes through complex mechanisms of action. Essentially behaving therapeutically, like pharmaceuticals.
As expansive as the solar system – so let’s enjoy it.
The art
Because Ione is now otherwise engaged, Hippo will feed us visually by featuring regional artists throughout the year, and celebrate art within our vibrant space.
Hester Berry
Hester’s work is grounded in traditional techniques, yet she continually pushes the boundaries of painting to explore light, time, movement, and climate. Using paint with economy and precision, she aims to capture the essence of a moment while leaving space for personal interpretation.
Originally from rural Devon, Hester’s deep connection to the landscape is central to her practice. After studying Fine Art in Aberystwyth and completing an MA at Wimbledon, she taught in Brighton and London before returning to Devon in 2016, where she now lives and works.
Alison West
Alison creates wheel-thrown ceramics that fuse traditional techniques with a deep reverence for nature and the unpredictable beauty of flame. Her saggar-fired vessels, marked by smoke and organic imprints from materials like seaweed and plants, embrace chance and transformation.
Influenced by classical Greek form and Japanese simplicity, Alison draws on years spent in Japan and her use of terrasigillata—an ancient fine clay slip technique—to achieve smooth, glaze-free surfaces. Working with refined Devon and Cornish clays, she grounds each piece in place, history, and the elemental process of making.
