Artist’s Statement:
I grew up in the rural Midwest among decaying cars, barns
and fields. My ancestors were farmers, blacksmiths and mechanics. In my work, I
try and maintain a connection to my roots, while also including a nuanced
social commentary. This work is meant to look like “outsider art”, but to
include “insider” references to post-modern readings, double meanings, and
social criticism.
and fields. My ancestors were farmers, blacksmiths and mechanics. In my work, I
try and maintain a connection to my roots, while also including a nuanced
social commentary. This work is meant to look like “outsider art”, but to
include “insider” references to post-modern readings, double meanings, and
social criticism.
I like to call my work, “Vessels for the Kool-Aid Ceremony”.
The Meta stories in our visual culture are now primarily from commercials,
advertising, and product tie-ins from movies and television. Lately, I have
focused my attention heavily on advertising from the 1930’s to 1960’s. The
advertising from this era was strongly flavored with patriarchy, racism, and
gender shaming. I re-use these messages in a very self-conscious way, offering
new context that tickles the soft white underbelly of
“traditional” American values.
The Meta stories in our visual culture are now primarily from commercials,
advertising, and product tie-ins from movies and television. Lately, I have
focused my attention heavily on advertising from the 1930’s to 1960’s. The
advertising from this era was strongly flavored with patriarchy, racism, and
gender shaming. I re-use these messages in a very self-conscious way, offering
new context that tickles the soft white underbelly of
“traditional” American values.
Bio:
Steve Hansen is a professor at Andrews University where he
teaches a variety of courses including ceramics and sculpture. His work has
been included in over 75 exhibitions, and has appeared in Ceramics Monthly, Ceramics:
Art & Peception, American Craft, The Teapot Book, American Style, and Extruded Ceramics. His work is in the
permanent collection of the Fuller Craft Museum, the Midwest Museum of American
Art, the American Museum of Ceramic Art, The Kamm Teapot Collection, and The
University of Iowa. Since 1999 Steve has concentrated his efforts primarily on
creating work in the tradition of trompe l’ oeil ceramics, with an emphasis on
social commentary and Americana.
teaches a variety of courses including ceramics and sculpture. His work has
been included in over 75 exhibitions, and has appeared in Ceramics Monthly, Ceramics:
Art & Peception, American Craft, The Teapot Book, American Style, and Extruded Ceramics. His work is in the
permanent collection of the Fuller Craft Museum, the Midwest Museum of American
Art, the American Museum of Ceramic Art, The Kamm Teapot Collection, and The
University of Iowa. Since 1999 Steve has concentrated his efforts primarily on
creating work in the tradition of trompe l’ oeil ceramics, with an emphasis on
social commentary and Americana.
http://stevehansenceramics.tumblr.com
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SteveHansenCeramics?ref=si_shop
Incredible work -insightful, relevant and meaningful ceramics with nostalgic social commentary at the heart of every statement. Meticulously crafted, quirky ceramic products that could be termed, dare I say neofunk – Nonetheless very impressive works with wide appeal.
Great panel-spicing to create tension and social commentary. I dig it. Thanks for sharing.
So funny _ I just posted this week's Thursdya Inspiration, which, just by coincidence, is also Steve Hansen!