Hannah Maia is an illustrator, anthropologist, heritage educator and award-winning filmmaker. A research-led visual storyteller, she explores human experience, landscape, history and adventure through illustration, film and documentary-inspired practice.
Her work combines observation, research and storytelling to create engaging visual narratives about people, places, culture and the natural world. She is particularly interested in how art can be used for heritage interpretation, education and public engagement, making complex stories accessible to wider audiences. She creates illustration for museums, heritage organisations, publishers, educational projects, businesses and private clients.
Hannah Maia has over a decade in film and documentary production after earning a BA in Social Anthropology from SOAS, and her master’s in Visual Anthropology from the University of Manchester. She has won numerous accolades for her documentary film production including 13 international awards for the film My Big White Thighs & Me. More recent highlights include a visual exhibit for the permanent collection of The Canadian Canoe Museum in Canada. Hannah Maia’s film work can be found at Maia Media. Currently she is working on her first non-fiction children’s book as both writer and illustrator. She has written and drawn for a variety of publications including The Guardian, Tough Women Adventure Stories and The Bikepacking Journal.
Based in the Lake District, Cumbria, she is very lucky to work from her studio overlooking rolling hills and fells. ‘The Lakes’ is overcast and drizzling much of the time which means the light can appear radiant, dazzling and much appreciated when it does arrive. Hannah Maia uses a bright and colourful palette which allows her work to be joyful and eye-catching.
Hannah Maia is also a mother, outdoor lover, swift spotter, cyclist and a cold water swimmer. Keep up to date with the latest happenings by signing up to the newsletter or occasionally she will add news to the updates page.
