[5] Born in Sydney in 1931, Hermia Boyd (née Llyod Jones) was the daughter of Australian graphic artist Herman Lloyd-Jones[6] and Erica Lloyd-Jones, and the sister of Australian actress, artist, and gallerist Clytie Jessop.
[7] Hermia first studied art privately with Joy Ewart, before attending the East Sydney Technical College where she worked under Lyndon Dadswell.
[9] In 1950, David and Hermia settled in Sydney to set up their first pottery in a shed based out of Paddington with fellow Australian potter Tom Sanders.
[10] Producing a pottery range called Hermia Ware[11] and large individual pieces for exhibition.
[12] The couple's pottery style used wheel-thrown earthernware and terracotta clays to create both functional and sculptural forms.
[18] Moving to Europe in 1950, the couple established a pottery studio together in London, (Pinner, Middlesex)[19] which was publicized by Hermia's sister and gallerist Cyltie Lloyd-Jones.
[33] Boyd signed a letter and was a part of the demonstration in 1966 at Australia House in London protesting the Australian participation in the Vietnam War,[50] alongside figures including David Boyd, Arthur Boyd, actor Leo McKern, composer Malcolm Williams, art gallery director Lesley Stack, painter John Olsen, Morris Hope, art critic Robert Hughes, cartoonist Arthur Horner, TV producer Tom Mainfield and poet Peter Porter.