Tom “T.E.” Hay

b. 1955

“Tom Hay lives in Columbus, Ohio in the neighborhood where he was born and grew up. Hay is a laborer in the building industry, and for nine years did demolition work. He started carving bas-reliefs on found wood boards. Inspired by his friend, Smoky Brown, seeing books about Elijah Pierce, and remembering the carving and whittling done by his father, Hay carved sports heroes, scenes from street life, and visual commentaries on social issues such as wealth versus poverty. Hay says he does the work for fun and wants to make people smile. “ - Source: “ SELF TAUGHT, OUTSIDER AND FOLK ART” by  BETTY-CAROL SELLEN