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BIO
E. (Mur) Sherman Hayman is a Philadelphia-based mixed media artist
who specializes in the technique of sgraffito: multi-layering
of wax/oil crayons and iridescent oil pastels, then using various
tools to scratch through, thus creating texture, pattern, and
some pretty innovative colors. She uses black museum board as
a base, and often incorporates manipulated balsa wood for added
dimension.
Hayman was born in Newport News, VA, attended Hollins College
(now Hollins University), and studied art in Paris, where she
lived for two years. She then moved to Philadelphia to attend
The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.
Major exhibitions over the past years include those
at Cerulean Arts, Philadelphia; Goggleworks, Reading, PA: Lake
Eustis Museum of Art, Florida; Rosenfeld Gallery, Philadelphia;
James Oliver Gallery, Philadelphia; Franz Bader Gallery, Washington
D.C; and Arlington Arts Center (now The Museum of Contemporary
Arts Arlington), Virginia. Selected group shows and invitationals
include “Nursery Rhymes for Questionable Times” at InLiquid-Crane
Arts, Philadelphia; “Deconstructing Bowie” and “Philadelphia
Freedom”, The National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia; “One
Nation”, The Heller Museum, NYC; Art in City Hall, Philadelphia),
Sande Webster Gallery, Philadelphia; and The Philadelphia Foundation
(with the Philadelphia Art Alliance).
STATEMENT
For the past 30 years my studio practice has focused mainly on
social issues important to me- gun violence, politics, death customs
- but has also covered certain subjects, based on a variety of
academic research, that might be described under the category
“Cabinet of Curiosities”.
Most all of my series have embraced TEXT as IMAGE. As a lapsed
English major, I not only incorporate text and illuminate words,
but also commemorate odd adages and quotations.
My work is known for its unique and quirky approach, with an
encyclopedic mindset, and is always about MESSAGING. Working with
a bright, textured palette, combined with sometimes controversial
subject matter, there is a purposeful seductive/repellent aspect
at play.
My sgraffito technique, involving multi-layers of media scratched
through with various tools, invites close-up inspection.
…….quand je me heurte à quelque chose que je
ne puis changer, que je ne peux résoudre, que je ne peux
redresser, je l’élimine. Je l’évacue dans
un livre. Après je ne suis plus oppressé. Je dors
mieux.”
Romain Gary, author, activist, French consul
Chien Blanc
France, 1970
…….when I run into something I am unable to change,
that I cannot resolve, that I cannot make better, I eliminate
it. I expel it out into a book. Afterwards I no longer feel stressed.
I sleep better.
Romain Gary, White Dog
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