Inked in Pearls: Serpentine Galleries: Duane Hanson

This past Sunday I had the pleasure of catching the last day of the Duane Hanson art exhibition at the Serpentine Galleries. I was a sophomore in high school when I first encountered Hanson's work while taking a history course.

Duane Hanson was born in 1925 in Alexandria, Minnesota. As an adult Hanson lived and worked in Florida and took inspiration from the people around him. Hanson is known not only for his extreme realism but he is also known for tackling major societal issues. Hanson's sculptures ranged from tourists to race riots. After a successful sculpting career Hanson died in January, 1996.

Flea Market Lady, 1990/1994.

Cowboy, 1984/1995.

Self-Portrait with Model, 1979.

Children Playing Game, 1979.

Baby in Stroller, 1995.

Homeless Person, 1991.

Lunchbreak, 1989.

Queenie II 1988.

Man with Han Cart, 1975.

Old Couple on a Bench, 1994.

House Painter I, 1984/1988.

Trash, 1967.

Man on Mower, 1995.

Duane Hanson's work captures the human conditions on a variety of levels. Towards the end of his life Hanson was quoted saying: "In the turmoil of everyday life, we too seldom become aware of one another. In the quiet moments in which you observe my work, maybe you will recognize the universality of all people." I selfishly wish he was still alive today so we would be able to see his commentary on the recent uprising of police brutality, the 2016 presidential race, and the way technology has advanced in the last 20 years.

One aim of this trip is to begin to investigate and discover our personal aesthetic. A large part of this is separating our personal taste and while I love the work that Hanson does it doesn't necessarily fit within my personal aesthetic. I have found that I would like to give people a similar experience with my work but in a way that isn't as hyper-realistic as Hanson's techniques.

The next post will be on the first production we saw after arrival which is a dance piece on the topic of WWI entitled "Lest We Forget."