Artist’s reception set for March 1
OXFORD, Miss. – Artistic inspiration often arises from the most unusual – even tragic – circumstances.
From
the devastation immediately after Hurricane Katrina comes “Ruins of
Mississippi and Other Places.” The exhibition by painter-photographer
Randy Hayes opens Tuesday (Jan. 13) and runs through March 8 at the
University of Mississippi Museum. A free public reception for the
artist is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. March 1.
“Ruins” is a series of
diptychs (pronounced DIP-ticks) comparing landscapes in newly-marred
Pass Christian, Waveland and Long Beach with the ancient architectural
remnants of Ephesus, Turkey, Oaxaca, Mexico, and Kyoto, Japan. Hayes
frequently visited the former during his childhood and the latter
during his world travels as an adult.
“This work was created specifically for this exhibit,” Hayes said of his multiple-image assemblages. “Each photograph underneath the painting is like a chapter, with the overall painting itself being the book. I found this process was very cathartic for me in coping with the devastation I’d observed.”
Classic diptychs are paintings on panels hinged like a book. In Hayes’ series, the panels are his own photographs, tacked together to form a canvas for his paintings.
University Museum Director Albert Sperath said the display marks the first time the Mississippi native has had a one-person museum exhibition in the state. Hayes previously had a one-person exhibition at Southside Gallery in Oxford and a group exhibition at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson.
“I find Randy’s art gives me much to contemplate,” Sperath said. “The numerous photographs mounted side-by-side and painted over creates an atmosphere of mystery with an underlayment of reality. His side-by-side renderings on ancient ruins and new Katrina ruins provides a contemplative contrast/comparison of history.”
An internationally-acclaimed artist, Hayes remains especially appreciative of the praises he receives from fellow Mississippians who appreciate both his talent and loyalty to the state.
“Randy is a wonderful artist and an even better human being,” said Dan Piersol, deputy director of programs at the Mississippi Museum of Art. “By actually painting on photographs as opposed to creating paintings from them, he proves to be very innovative. And even though he doesn’t live here anymore, Randy has never forgotten his Mississippi roots.”
Hayes said he initially found the post-Katrina ruins incomprehensible and temporarily immobilizing.
“For the first time in my life, I couldn’t pick up my camera,” he said. “It sat beside me on the car seat for several hours.”
Gradually, Hayes began to find comparisons between the fresh ruins of Mississippi and the ancient ones he’d seen while visiting Athens, Rome, Mombasa, Oaxaca, Chaco Canyon, Rajasthan, Aphrodisias and other places in the world. Painstakingly photographing various scenes from the larger landscapes to the tiniest architectural designs, he then assembled them into a cohesive image. After sequentially arranging them to form a rectangular canvas, Hayes painted a huge landscape over each assembly.
Hayes grew up near Clinton. His family later moved to Tupelo, where he finished high school. After attending Rhodes College, Hayes earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in sculpture from the Memphis College of Art. He then became a VISTA Volunteer in Seattle, where he maintains a home and studio. Hayes also has a home in Holly Springs.
For more on Randy Hayes, visit http://www.randyhayes.net.
University Museum, Fifth Street and University Avenue, is open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1-4:30 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 662-915-7073 or visit http://www.olemiss.edu/museum