“Thank you to the Gibbes Museum and Society 1858 for the honor of receiving the 1858 Prize for Contemporary Southern Art,” says Hayes. I initially began creating as a way to impress my mom and brother and now I use my works to tell stories, connect people across generations and ignite intercultural dialogue. I am passionate about my work, so seeing it also resonate with others makes the endless hours of work worth it.”
Each year, the 1858 Prize is presented by Society 1858, a member auxiliary group of the Gibbes Museum of Art comprised of young professionals and awarded to one artist whose work demonstrates the highest level of artistic achievement in any media, while contributing to a new understanding of art in the American South. Along with Hayes, this year’s shortlist of finalists included Namwon Choi and Jennifer Shaw.
