Gregory Hayes | "From Faded Fragments"

G R E G O RY H AY E S

G R E G O R Y H AY E S F r o m Fa d e d F r a g m e n t s

F E B R UA R Y 2 8 – A P R I L 1 3 , 2 0 1 9

My objective is to heighten the viewer’s sensitivity to subtle variations and to reveal that pictorial complexity can be achieved through a restricted vocabulary. —Gregory Hayes

F

rom Faded Fragments presents six new, large-scale paintings from Gregory Hayes’s evolving Color Array series. As a means to liberate himself from past, self-imposed restrictions, Hayes has created all vertical compositions for this exhibition: each canvas is 80 x 60 inches. This new format, together with its larger scale, provides a different experience for the viewer than his square compositions. Similar to the vastness of Mark Rothko paintings, Hayes’s vertical compositions tower above the spectator, giving the presence of a doorway or portal. Despite this new orientation, the artist’s painting process remains consistent. He begins by drawing a graphite grid onto the canvas surface, creating one-quarter inch squares that cover the entire canvas. Filling a dropper with a deliberate palette of two-to-four colors, he then drips one swirling, multicolored bead of acrylic paint into each square. By allowing the individual hues to naturally mix within the bottle, Hayes is able to create a shimmering array of prismatic spheres, each one unique in its combination and distribution of colors. The final compositions are concentric rectangles of gradating color.

Interested in the interaction of colors, Hayes uses color as a catalyst for expressing mood and emotion. Each of the paintings in this exhibition embodies a distinct character and energy as a consequence of the artist’s discerning eye for organizing color across space. In Untitled (HyNyCbc) (2019), bands of dark blue and green radiate from a golden center, alternating with softer hues of cream and yellow. The rhythm of darkto-light stripes creates a tantalizing optical vibration.

Untitled (MbVPg) — Ghost (2019) uses three hues to elicit a more serene mood. Painted with shades of blue, violet and grey, it has a tranquil presence. With unique dispersals and proportions of color in each canvas, From Faded Fragments highlights the ability of various color relationships to provoke a mélange of sensory experiences.

As an alternative to painting, Hayes often channels his creativity through poetry. For Hayes, painting and poetry are complementary. For this exhibition, the title references a line from a poem that he wrote in response to creating these paintings, thus forming a bridge between his painting and his poetry. In each of his compositions, one can spot a poetic moment; an

instance when two beads of paint coalesce, creating an altogether new form that asserts itself amidst rows of symmetric dots. His embrace of chance, through the unpredictable nature of his dropper and the properties of the paint, sets the stage for this spontaneous merging of two or more drips. In these poetic moments—each one a felix culpa or “happy accident,” as Hayes refers to them—the viewer can feel a profound connection to the artist’s process.

They emphasize the human touch, emotion, and surprise in his precise, mathematically-inspired grids.

In an interview with the editor of Xibt Magazine from August 2018, Hayes commented on the value of allowing chance to influence aspects of his paintings: “In my work I strive for exactness. Perhaps it is paradoxical that in striving for perfection—and never reaching it—it is there that you actually find it.”

Hayes’s large-scale, meticulous compositions show us that there is beauty even in imperfection.

—Nancy Margolis Gallery, 2019

Untitled (GBQg) — Ghost 2018, acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 inches

Untitled (CrYPgCr) — Ghost 2018, acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 inches

Untitled (MbVPg) — Ghost 2019, acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 inches

Untitled (HyNyCbc) 2019, acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 inches

Untitled (BuQngUb) — Ghost 2019, acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 inches

Emilie’s Sunset 2019, acrylic on canvas, 80 x 60 inches

From Faded Fragments Following the successive rhythm of reaching distant dreams in order to escape the shadows of reconstructed landscapes from faded fragments pieced together with idealized fortune or demise This seemingly secure as a way to define the endless incline as a way to deny the gentle breeze that kisses and caresses thinning the cloud to open the view to the world behind the mind’s eye Stepping past the perpetual promises of imaginary moments letting loose the grip of the painted images and paper tigers Breathe a breath with no desires —Gregory Hayes

G R EGORY H AY E S

EDUCATION

Born: 1980, Buffalo, NY Lives and works: Brooklyn, NY

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2011 MFA, Brooklyn College, Painting 2006 BFA, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Painting

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2010 2008

2007 2006

From Faded Fragments, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY The Bird is the Wind., Galerie Deux6, Paris, France Dawn of a new day., Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY I am the sun., Francesca Antonini Arte Contemporanea, Rome, Italy Stay Gold, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY Shooting Star, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY Re-Seeing, Rule Gallery, Denver, CO Primary Array, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Denver, CO Selected Works, City & County Building, Denver, CO Array, Rhinoceropolis Gallery, Denver, CO Machine, Institute for Experimental Studies, Denver, CO

GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2018

2017 2016

Color Field Painters, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY Presence | Absence, Ncontemporary, Milan, Italy Ruminate, Cal State Fullerton Begovich Gallery, Fullerton, CA I Dare! | Dare I?, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY Arte Fiera, Francesca Antonini Arte Contemporanea, Bologna, Italy When Something Happens Again It Starts To Feel Normal, Ncontemporary, Turin, Italy Young International Artists, Francesca Antonini Arte Contemporanea, Paris, France Gallery Artists: Pre-Christmas Exhibition, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY

2015 2014

2013

2012

2011

Gregory Hayes / Nadir Valente, Ncontemporary, London, UK Intent Fortuity, Jamie Brooks Fine Art, Los Angeles, CA Small Works: More or Less, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY The Others Fair, Ncontemporary, Turin, Italy White | Black, Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York, NY Miami Project, Nancy Margolis Gallery, Miami, FL Summer Preview, Victori Contemporary, New York, NY Outline: Beyond The Grid, Jamie Brooks Fine Art, Los Angeles, CA Aqua14, Victori Contemporary, Miami, FL Scope Basel, Victori Contemporary, Basel, Switzerland Art Wynwood, Victori Contemporary, Miami, FL Artmix, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, CO Aqua13, Victori Contemporary, Miami, FL Emerge, Victori Contemporary, Washington D.C. Disposition, Blank Space Gallery, New York, NY Artmix, Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Boulder, CO 14th Annual Fire Island Pines Art Show, Whyte Hall, Fire Island Pines, NY The Wassaic Project Summer Festival, The Maxon Mills, Wassaic, NY Scope Basel, Victori Contemporary, Basel, Switzerland Art Wynwood, Victori Contemporary, Miami, FL Scope Miami, Victori Contemporary, Miami, FL Art Bash, D Gallery, Denver, CO Spring Group Exhibition, Brenda Taylor Gallery, New York, NY 25th Annual National Works on Paper, Abercrombie Gallery, Lake Charles, LA Made in NY, Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center, Auburn, NY Introductions, Brooklyn Artists Gyn, Brooklyn, NY Works in Progress, ArtBridge, Atlantic Yards, Brooklyn, NY

2010

2009

2007

2006

13th Annual Fire Island Pines Art Show, Whyte Hall, Fire Island Pines, NY The Wassaic Project Summer Festival, The Maxon Mills, Wassaic, NY Do It, Philip J. Steele Gallery, Denver, CO Memory Palace, Flux Factory, Brooklyn, NY Hybrid Life Forms, In Rivers, Brooklyn, NY College Art Association New York Area MFA Exhibition, New York, NY North American Graduate Art Survey, Nash Gallery, Minneapolis, MN Art Bash, Robischon Gallery, Denver, CO Feast of Fools, Second-Floor, Brooklyn, NY Learning Curve, Marian Spore, Brooklyn, NY Curly-Q, Jack The Pelican Presents Gallery, Brooklyn, NY Winter Mt. Dew Tour: Featured Artist, Northstar Resort, CA Peep Show, Rule Gallery, Denver, CO Red Dot Fair, Rule Gallery, New York, NY Juried Show, Pirate Gallery, Denver, CO XX/YY: The Gender Show, Flash Gallery, Brooklyn, NY

HONORS & AWARDS 2012 2011

2005

McNeese National Works on Paper, Juror’s Mention Award (Selected by Lynn Gumpert) Dave Brown Projects, “3rd Semiannual Competition,” Selected Artist ArtBridge “Works in Progress” Honorarium (Selected by Vik Muniz, Amani Olu & Eugenie Tsai) College Art Association Professional Development Honorable Mention in the Fine Arts Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Most Distinguished Artist

RESIDENCIES 2012 2011

Millay Colony, Austerlitz, NY Fire Island Pines Arts Project, Fire Island, NY

BIBLIOGRAPHY 2018 2017

2016

Alice Zucca, “A Conversation with Gregory Hayes.” Xibt Contemporary Art Magazine. July/August.

Art in Write Out, “Recensioni Arte Contemporanea Roma.” Blog Post. February 1.

Design and Style Report, “Weekend.” Images of Artwork. Blog post. January 7.

Sabrina Vedovotto, “Amore Che Vieni Amore Che Vai (Ovvero Della Pittura).” Exibart. January 4.

Eleonora Scoccia, “Gregory Hayes. I am the sun.” Exibart. Web. February 13.

Delia Pizzuti, “‘I’m the sun’: goccia su goccia, l’infinitamente grande e piccolo di Gregory Hayes.” ArteMagazine. Web. December 27.

Noémie Jennifer, “The Price to Pay: Artists Weigh in on Getting an MFA.” Blog post. The Creators Project. August 25.

2014 Kyle Fitzpatrick, “Gregory Hayes Paints Detailed Microcosms.” Blog post. The Fox is Black. Web. April 8.

Daniel Gauss, “Shooting Star by Gregory Hayes at Nancy Margolis Gallery.” Review. Blog post. Arte Fuse Magazine. Web. June 5.

“Gregory Hayes. Shooting Star.” Wall Street International. Web. May 17.

Joanne Mattera, “Centering.” Blog post. Joanne Mattera Art Blog. Web. April 24.

2012 Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, “Alumni Spotlight.” The Dome. January 25.

2011 Melissa Bozin, “ArtBridge decorates Brooklyn.” Brooklyn Downtown Star. October 26.

The Brooklyn Review, Images of Artwork, Issue 28, 43.

Kyle MacMillan, “Offbeat art approach: ‘Do It,’ and then undo it at Denver exhibit.” Denver Post. May 27.

Michael Fahlund, “CAA Awards MFA Fellowships to Five Artists.” www.collegeart.org. February 2.

2010 Leanne Goebel, “RULE Gallery Champions Young Artists in 4.0.” Huffington Post. December 5.

Michael Paglia, “Artbeat: Gregory Hayes: Re-Seeing New Works, at Rule Gallery.” Westword. October 27.

Kyle MacMillan, “On point.” Denver Post. November 12.

Ellen Berkovitch, “Review: Contemporary Art & Architecture in Denver.” Adobe Airstream. October 24.

Anne Johnson, “Brooklyn College MFA Open Studio.” Art Fag City. April 12.

2009 Nomad Art and World Magazine, Image of Artwork, issue 1, 12.

2007 Mary Chandler, “RULE Show a Display of Veterans, New Artists.” Rocky Mountain News. January 19.

523 West 25 Street New York, NY 10001 212.242.3013 margolis@nancymargolisgallery.com Catalog Š 2019 NANCY MARGOLIS GALLERY Courtesy of Nancy Margolis Gallery, New York and Gregory Hayes.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any other means, electronic or mechanical now known or hereafter invented, without written permission of publisher.