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Griffon is a twenty-seven foot tall statue created out of Rustoleum-flat-back, steel by American sculptor, David Hayes. Griffon is the monumental sculpture that greets visitors at the entrance of the Snite Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

Artist Information
David Hayes (1931-2013) is an American sculptor whose work is featured in over one hundred museums worldwide. Hayes’ work is most notably present at the Guggenheim in New York, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Atheneum Museum of Art in Connecticut. It is interesting to note that Hayes completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame in 1953. This close connection to the University may account for the large number of Hayes’ statues on Notre Dame’s campus. After completing his undergraduate degree at Notre Dame, Hayes attended Indiana University to complete his Masters in Fine Arts under the tutelage of David Smith, a renowned American sculptor.[i]

Historical Information
Many of Hayes’ sculptures take their form from the natural world.[ii] In fact, Hayes’ inspiration for Griffon originally came from the form of leaves that had fallen. It was not until after transforming his sketches into a small steel sculpture that Hayes drew parallels of form to that of the mythical creature known as a Griffon. A griffon, in mythology is a cross between an eagle and lion. Hayes, understanding the importance of audience interpretation with modern, abstract art, called for his audience to see what Griffon was to them. Many students in the early 90’s compared Griffon to a crashed fighter jet on campus.

Location History
Griffon was permanently installed at the entrance to the Snite Museum of Art on Notre Dame’s campus in 1989. Due to construction relating to the Crossroads Project for Notre Dame Stadium, Griffon had been temporarily moved behind the Site museum. Plans have been made to move Griffon back to its home at the front of the Site Museum as soon as construction of the Crossroads Project has been completed.[iii]

Acquisition
Hayes was commissioned by the Notre Dame Campus Sculpture Committee to create a large-scale sculpture for the entrance of the Snite Museum of Art in the late 80’s. The commission was made possible by the Humana Foundation Endowment for American Art in addition to various other partners. Hayes submitted three miniature sculptures for consideration, and Griffon was selected by unanimous decision by the Committee.