N ATIO N A L FI N ALI S T S
G E RA L D G R I F F I N
N I C O L E H AY D E N
C hicago , I L
SA N F RA N C I S C O , C A Gerald Griffin creates work that can soothe and stir the soul.
The subject of each of Nicole Hayden’s striking figurative
He is a master of several disciplines including stone carving,
paintings is lifted from a reference photograph. Whether
bronze sculpture, oil, watercolor, pastel painting, and poetry.
unearthed from her family’s albums, a vintage magazine, or
His subject matter is wide-ranging, however the theme of his
taken by the artist herself, she finds herself drawn to pictures
work primarily deals around the introspective identity of the
of the glamorous film stars from cinema’s golden era.
African-American collective. In addition, Gerald creates works that make a profound statement about the human condition as a
Nicole is particularly drawn to the flattening effect of film.
whole. As a result, he has been described as a visionary artist
She enhances this effect by applying intricate patterning to
of consciousness.
her backgrounds, often employing gold or silver leaf. These precious metals turn the femme fatales that star in Nicole’s
Individual collectors include: former United States President
paintings into modern-day icons.
and First Lady, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, Chris Gardner, comedians Steve Harvey and Adele Givens, actor Wesley Snipes, NBA players Hollis Copland and Lindsey Hunter, and recording artists Mavis Staples, Jennifer Holiday and Will Downing.
“Tout Le Monde En Veux Et J’en Veux Aussi”
“The Empty Space”