The Sculpture of Scott, Payton, Hayden, and Bechet

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

They were friends, mentors, and muses. They were pivotal figures in the modern art movement emerging from the southeastern part of Louisiana. They were dedicated scholars and educators. Four men, Frank Hayden, John T. Scott, Martin Payton, and Ron Bechet—artists intertwined through a series of experiences that played out over five decades. They share a common artistic language—an exploration of Black heritage imbued with private symbolism, expression, and inspiration. Hayden reflects on his deep spiritual awareness, and reverence for faith, family, and Civil Rights. Scott’s work echoes the sights and sounds of his beloved New Orleans and his Caribbean legacy. Payton reclaims scrap metal, fabricating improvised compositions of rhythmic forms tangled with African symbolism. Bechet’s lyrical works investigate the delicacy of nature and the human experience, instilled with personal connections to the heritage of place.

Frank Hayden (1935–1988), a Memphis native, studied at Xavier University before earning degrees at Notre Dame and Iowa State, later becoming a longtime faculty member at Southern University in Baton Rouge. At Xavier in the 1950s, Hayden was mentored by Numa Rousseve and Sister Mary Lurana Neely—teachers who also deeply influenced John T. Scott (1940–2007), who returned to Xavier to teach after earning his MFA. Scott inspired Martin Payton (b. 1948), who studied at Xavier and later at Otis Art Institute before succeeding Hayden at Southern University in 1990. Scott and Payton remained close collaborators, completing major projects like Spirit House in 2006. Ron Bechet (b. 1956) first met Scott at the University of New Orleans and, after Yale, taught alongside him at Xavier, where they shared a studio and deep friendship until Hurricane Katrina displaced Scott in 2005; Bechet continues to teach at Xavier today.

This exhibition highlights the sculptural works of these four modern masters. Although individually they have their own artistic voice, they share the bonds of kinship—with each learning and gleaning inspiration from one another.

on view October 9, 2025–January 25, 2026

EXHIBITION SPONSORS

This exhibit is sponsored by Winifred and Kevin P. Reilly.


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