Hugh Hayden: the End

Hugh Hayden presents us with a strange sight: an enormous ribcage lying on its back. Are these the remains of some fairy‐tale giant? Despite the deathly nature of the work, Hayden sees it as easy to relate to—a symbol of our shared humanity. “Unless you’re an orthopedist or an archaeologist,” he points out, “you cannot tell whether someone is Black or white, male or female, just by looking at their bones.” The massive ribs are carved from locally harvested hemlock trees, with branches left attached in their natural state, creating a sense of enclosure. Following the exhibition's run, the work will be allowed to decompose, the substance of the trees returning to the earth.