Mr Happy Red

Alex May Hughes is a sign-writer and glass gilder based in West London.

She developed a keen interest in Victorian signage and mirrors after studying typographics at the London college of communication in 2012. This lead to her working with acclaimed London signwriter Peter Hardwicke which cemented her love of working with precious metals and glass. 

Alex's work brings traditional craft into the modern era, specialising in recreating iconic pop-culture characters and scenes and placing them within the context of vintage glass signage, she's become renowned for her technical ability and humorous take on the craft. Her first solo show took place at Gallery 223 in 2014 following which she had two further solo shows along with a slew of group shows – including showcasing work at Somerset House and Chicago art department.

Other milestones include creating bespoke shop signs for Palm vaults and Tessa Metcalfe jewellers, as well as being commissioned by Penguin books to re-design the cover of 'The Help' by Kathryn Stockett as part of their essentials collection.She was worked on projects for Sony, Urban outfitters, Sheet magazine, Warner Brothers records, Bombay Sapphire, The design museum, Guinness and the band IDLES.