Stephen Hansen: The Whimsical World of Paper Mache and Sculptural Humor Stephen Hansen, a celebrated sculptor originally from Seattle, has spent decades creating art that blends humor, craftsmanship, and wit.Known for his meticulously crafted paper mache sculptures, Hansen's work captures both the mundane and the absurd in a way that resonates across cultures.After moving to New Mexico in 1984, Hansen continued to explore new mediums — working with resin, hydrocal, wood, bronze, steel, and stone — but paper mache remains at the heart of his artistic practice.His screamingly unique combination of painting and wall sculpture can be found in major collections, including the Smithsonian Institution, the Federal Reserve, and U.S. embassies in Italy and Venezuela. A Lifelong Creative Journey Hansen's artistic career began in 1968, and his work has since graced museums and galleries in Detroit, Chicago, New York, Santa Fe, and beyond. Despite his deep-rooted success, Hansen maintains a humble, self-effacing approach to his craft. His pieces, often imbued with satire, offer a fresh take on human behavior and social commentary."As an artist, I am not an explorer of the human condition, so much as a hapless tourist, making snapshots of whatever strikes my fancy," he explains.This playful attitude underscores the whimsical nature of his work, particularly in his paper mache figures, which often tread the line between lifelike and caricature. The material itself, he notes, is ideal for his process."It is fast enough that I can try out ideas without any sense of commitment. It's a material so inherently humble that I can claim to make 'cultural icons' without feeling too pretentious."This lighthearted approach makes his art intellectually accessible while still aesthetically engaging — a delicate balance that has earned Hansen a devoted following over the years. The Evolution of Hansen's Process One of Hansen's most well-known projects is his "Great Moments in Art" series, which he began in 2014. This collection of sculptures reimagines iconic moments in art history with a humorous twist. The series was born out of Hansen's whimsical question: "What if artwork really was, well... work?"Through this concept, Hansen began imagining great painters like Rothko and Cezanne as laborers — painters literally rolling on color, as if accomplishing their life’s work in a weekend. Hansen's work is often described as lifelike rather than strictly realistic. His goal is to capture ideas rather than individual likenesses:"I make sculpture with the idea that it should both attract and communicate. Towards that end, I try to make art that is intellectually accessible and aesthetically seductive." Hansen likens his creative process to directing a small repertory company, stating:"I costume and coerce my characters into the story I want to tell."In this metaphor, his sculptures become actors, bringing his ideas to life in a way that is often exaggerated and comical. He humorously adds that they "tend toward overacting." New Inspirations in 2024 Hansen's inspiration remains rooted in his daily practice of drawing and crafting. When asked what inspires him in 2024, his response is simple:"It is just what I do every day."Despite this modesty, there are new themes creeping into his work. Bright colors, particularly yellow and orange, have made their way into his palette.He reflects on Cezanne’s work, having discovered that the artist’s distinctive colors were often the result of not cleaning his brushes thoroughly between hues. This discovery of art’s imperfections fits well with Hansen’s overall approach — finding humor and beauty in the unexpected. Hansen's motivation comes from a desire for continual improvement."I am motivated by the desire to do something better than the last time," he says, echoing a sentiment shared by many great artists.He also quotes Degas: "Painting is very easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do."It’s a reflection of his ongoing journey as an artist — always striving for perfection while acknowledging the challenges that come with mastery. The New Mexico Light and Its Influence Hansen’s home in New Mexico provides the perfect backdrop for his creative endeavors."The natural light in New Mexico and the simplicity of daily life without distraction," he says, are key elements that fuel his work. This minimalist environment allows Hansen to focus on his craft with fewer distractions, giving him space to reflect on the ideas that amuse and inspire him. When asked about his perfect day, Hansen describes a routine rooted in creativity."I get up at dawn, draw until I think of something that amuses me, and then I make a good start and work uninterrupted."However, in typical Hansen fashion, he adds a humorous caveat: "I like starting things better than finishing things."This statement encapsulates the playful spirit that runs through his life and work, reflecting a joy for the creative process itself.Stephen Hansen: Art That Makes You Think and Smile Stephen Hansen's sculptures invite viewers into a world where art meets humor, where cultural icons are reimagined with a wink, and where the mundane becomes something to marvel at.Whether he's working with paper mache or exploring new materials like steel and stone, Hansen’s art continues to resonate with audiences around the world. His pieces can be found in prestigious collections, yet they remain approachable and deeply human, reflecting Hansen's view of himself as a "hapless tourist" in the world of art. As Hansen continues to push boundaries and explore new ideas, his work remains a testament to the power of humor and creativity in art. Whether you're drawn to his paper mache figures or his metal sculptures, Stephen Hansen's art promises to both amuse and inspire, offering a fresh perspective on the world around us. RESUME Born: 1950, Seattle, WAEducation: Self-TaughtSculpture: Archival paper mache, resin, hydrocal, bronze, steelGraphics: Watercolor, etching, engraving 2009 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, NM SELECTED EXHIBITIONS Water Street Gallery, Douglas, MI: 92, 95, 97, 99, 01, 02, 05, 06, 07, 09, 11, 2013 - 2019 annuallyZenith Gallery, Washington, DC: 1979, 81, 87, 88, 90, 94, 97, 99, 2001, 03, 05, 08, 12, 15, 16, 18William & Joseph Gallery, Santa Fe, NM: 2013Glenn Cutter Galleries, Las Cruces, NM: 1995, 97, 98, 2001, 04, 06, 08, 09, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18Xanadu Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ: 2016, 17, 18, 19Museum of New Mexico, Governor’s Gallery, Santa Fe, NM: 2002, Retrospective 2009Las Cruces Museum Of Art, Las Cruces, NM: Retrospective 2009Hallmark Gallery, San Diego, CA: 2007Gilman Gallery, Chicago, IL: 1981, 83. 86, 88, 91, 94, 96Gruen Galleries, Chicago, IL: 1998, 2000, 02, 04Xochipilli Gallery, Birmingham, MI: 1976, 77, 78, 80, 82, 84, 87, 90, 93, 95Galerie Blu, Pontiac, MI: 1998, 2000Midwest Museum of American Art, Elkhart, IN: 2002Posner Gallery, Birmingham, MI: 2005Hibbard McGrath Gallery, Breckenridge, CO: 1999Rosenfeld Gallery, Philadelphia, PA: 1986, 97Six17 Gallery, Kalamazoo, MI: 1982, 86Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, MI: 1975, 78, 81, Retrospective 1992 CORPORATE COLLECTIONS Adams National Bank, Washington, DCAES, Washington, DCAlo Alo, Trump Plaza, New York, NYAmalgamated Bank, Chicago, ILBernstein-Rein Advertising Inc, Kansas City, MOBorg-Warner, Chicago, ILCanberra Industries, Inc, Meridian, CTCapitol Center, Landover, MDCapitol Records, Los Angeles, CAChecker Motors, Kalamazoo, MIContinental Air Transport, Chicago, ILFirst of America Bank, Kalamazoo, MIFlint Auto World, Flint, MIFord Hospital, Detroit, MIHechinger Company, Landover, MDHerman Miller, Inc, Zeeland, MI, London, Paris, TorontoHughes Aircraft, El Segundo, CALuss Kaplan & Associates, Ltd, New York, NYMark Twain Banks, St. Louis, MOMcDonald’s Corporation, Oakbrook, IL, TorontoPennsylvania Power and Light, Allentown, PAQwest, Englewood, COSIT Group S.A., LuxembourgStandard Oil of Indiana, Chicago, ILSterling Petroleum, Detroit, MIUpjohn Pharmaceutical, Kalamazoo MIWDIV, Detroit, MI PUBLIC COLLECTIONS Smithsonian, National Museum of American HistoryCapitol Arts Foundation, Santa Fe, NMByer Museum of Arts, Evanston, ILFederal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, DCFederal Reserve Board, Washington DCFort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, INInstitute of Aesthetic Studies, Colombo, Sri LankaKalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, MILas Cruces Museum of Art, Las Cruces, NMKalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, Kalamazoo, MIMeadowbrook Theater, Rochester, MIMusee de la Civilisation, QuebecNational Association of Homebuilders, Washington, DCNational Building Museum, Washington, DCTown of Breckenridge, COUnited States Information Agency, Washington, DCUnited States Consular Collection, BiNational Gallery, Naples ItalyUnited States Embassy, Caracas Residence Art Collection, VenezuelaUnited States Embassy, Rome, ItalyUnited States Interest Section, Havana, CubaWharton Center for the Performing Arts, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI