Andrew Hayes

Artist statement: I work with book paper and steel, two materials with very different meanings in the context of our daily lives. The book is an object of education, growth, and escape. Steel is trickier to see and often invisible: its forms make up so many primary structures in our constructed environment. Using book paper and steel, I explore these meanings and find a curious harmony between these materials and the flexibility, history, mass, and density both possess.

 

Name of artwork: "The Recall of Canyons" 

 

Thoughts about the art work: I cut pages from old discarded books, removing them from their binding and working with the unbound hunks of paper to explore and respond to the possible, new sculptural shapes the material might take. At some point I introduce metal to the process, giving structure and support to the softer sculptural form of the loose pages. Bringing steel — a material of industry and architecture — to the quiet, contemplative realm of the book excites me. In this work the paper recalled the memories of walking through the dry riverbeds of my youth in the deserts of Arizona. The undulating forms of river walls will always captivate my curiosity. Sometimes a piece asks me to revisit that time and place through materials and that is what I found myself attempting in The Recall of Canyons.  

 

Describe the process; 

 

The goal is to make these works appealing formally to the audience. I'm not sure how successful I am in this pursuit but, it is my goal. To find harmony between materials and balance in the roles that paper and steel play when put in conversation with each other. 

 

We as people all have personal relationships and feelings toward books. So, when the viewer recognizes the paper in my sculpture was formerly a book a shift in perception happens. Questions start to pop up, such as: "what was this book?". I want to keep the viewer engaged with the work and the paper is often an accessible entry point to peak curiosity. My hope, however; is for the viewer to resonate with the piece as a whole.

 

I am still questioning my abilities as a metal worker and artist who makes sculpture. I am also still trying to puzzle out the relationship between my chosen materials. I continue to find depth in the union between paper and steel, so I feel the need to explore that. 

 

My exploration in art making is bolstered by mentors, family, friends, and colleagues near and far. I strive to honor the time, tools, and insights they give to me by sharing what I know. There are no secrets and I feel lucky to collaborate and tread through likeminded streams of thought. Every path offers a different point of view for it's traveler. I feel extremely fortunate to walk this path as a studio artist and I am fully aware of all the people that prop me up in this wild endeavor. 

 

About the artist – BIO or short version of Curriculum Vitae:  Andrew Hayes, born in Tucson, AZ studied sculpture at Northern Arizona University until he left school to work in the industrial welding trade. In the fall of 2014 Andrew moved to Penland School of Craft as an artist in residence where he explored the formal relationship between paper and steel. In early 2018 Andrew set up studio in Asheville, NC where he creates sculpture exhibited internationally. His work is included in a number of collections including Yale Art Museum, and Wingate University.