Gallery B presents…

Exhuberant Undercurrents
by Sutton Hays

Sutton presents a vivid exploration of space, imagery, and the unexpected. Known for making puzzles of spatial ambiguity, Sutton’s work invites viewers to engage with playful scenes that, on closer inspection, reveal humorous or unsettling undercurrents. Drawing inspiration from her early love of stages and flat perspectives, sparked by childhood visits to the Metropolitan Opera, Sutton incorporates architectural elements reminiscent of stages, temples, and altars into her art. Her clever use of puns, idioms, and catchphrases adds an extra layer of intrigue, making her work a visual and intellectual playground where nothing is quite as it seems. Exuberant Undercurrents captures the dynamic tension between lightheartedness and deeper, often complex, interpretations.

About Sutton

Sutton Hays was born in Greenwich, CT in 1948. She received her BFA from Portland Museum School, Oregon in 1978. She has shown many years with InLiguid, Muse Gallery in Philadelphia, Geoffrey Young Gallery in Great Barrington, Blue Streak Gallery in Wilmington, DE. Her museum shows have been in DE Contemporary, Portland Art Museum, National Arts Club, NY, Silvermine Guild, CT. She has been reviewed by Judith Stein, Art News, Oregonian, Inquirer and DE News Journal. She is in several great collections, AG Rosen, Maureen Jerome, Dawn Upshaw, Laura Post and Ruby Palmer among others. Hays has received several awards, Bravo network, Emerging Artist, and DE. She has studied with Michele Cassou, Point Zero Painting Master Classes and taught process painting at DE Art Museum.

Artist Statement

The different acts on the stage are the genesis for my new show. I am fascinated by that huge space that can be filled with so many of life’s wonders. Ferns, meadows, other shapes and patterns emerge. Arches, curves, and columns represent the tension I find in nature between structure and softness, between architectural design and innate whimsy. Each of my pieces represents a unique moment where color, form and texture come together to present an instinctual yet surreal image. My work reflects a rich inner life and invites the viewer into a sublime world full of hidden drama and possibilities. Painting allows for the multiple facets of my imagination to be present in one piece. Passionate use of color is an important element of my work. I play with color, perspective, and dimension to mirror the nature of dreams, offering one woman's authentic vision of a life.

Gallery B

Gallery B, curated by Jill Parry, presents a series of “mini-shows” throughout the year as part of the greater RAC Gallery. These shows serve as a platform for emerging and mid-career visual artists — to further and promote their professional development by presenting their work at The Rye Arts Center.