Emerging Artists

The Daily Palette celebrates the talents of MA and MFA students as they move toward graduation!

DONTÉ K HAYES
Afrodisiac, Ceramic, Acrylic wash, 20" x 13" x 15", 2018

Donté K Hayes graduated summa cum laude from Kennesaw State University at Kennesaw, Georgia in 2017 with a BFA in Ceramics and Printmaking with Art History minor. His recent art exhibitions include group shows at the Museum of Science + Industry Chicago, Illinois, the Association of Visual Arts in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia in Atlanta. Hayes, in 2016 is the recipient of a Kennesaw State University travel scholarship for the study of stone lithography at the Taller Experimental de Grafica in Havana, Cuba. Currently, Donté is a first year MA/MFA candidate at the University of Iowa in Dimensional Studies in Ceramics.

In his own words:

Through the influence of hip-hop, history, and science fiction, my artwork explores Afrofuturism, a projected vision of an imagined future which critiques the historical and cultural events of the African Diaspora and the distinct experience of the Middle Passage. While also exploring deeper social issues which broaden the conversation between all of humanity.

From these themes, my art practice is based on research and references how society values the connection of one's roots to home. Although discussing provocative and heavy subjects the use of humor with bright and bold color schemes initiates an atmosphere of personal interpretation and reflection to the work of art.

Donté's website