Hugh Hayden’s work investigates natural and artificial means of identification. From early works featuring hair, feathers, tree bark, and clothing to recent sculptures created from salvaged Christmas trees, Hayden begins with objects which inherently carry significant associations with societal categorization: race, religion, ethnicity, education, sexuality and the like. Using a rigorous process of sawing, sanding and sculpting, he combines disparate types of wood to create new composite forms which address themes of assimilation and acceptance, and metaphorically disrupt traditional American social context.
[excerpted from Lisson Gallery website]