Hugh Hayden
Hugh Hayden: Boogey Men features a suite of monumental new works at ICA Miami that explore complex histories and memory in the form of crafted metaphors of our changing ecosystem. Formally trained as an architect, Hayden deploys laborious processes such as metal, wood carving, and fabrication to produce dynamic, surreal, and critical responses to personal experience and social and cultural issues. In this course, educators will discuss how artist Hugh Hayden explores our relationship with the natural world and culture through various modes of anthropomorphic forms.
Hugh Hayden was born in Dallas, Texas in 1983 and lives and works in New York City. He holds an MFA from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University. Hayden’s practice considers the anthropomorphization of the natural world as a visceral lens for exploring the human condition. Hayden transforms familiar objects through a process of selection, carving, and juxtaposition to challenge our perceptions of ourselves, others, and the environment.
Raised in Texas and trained as an architect, his work arises from a deep connection to nature and its organic materials Hayden utilizes wood as his primary medium, frequently loaded with multi-layered histories in its origin, including objects as varied as discarded trunks, rare indigenous timbers, Christmas trees, or souvenir African sculptures.
