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Duane Hanson (1925-96) : American Sculptors

Duane Hanson was an American sculptor known for his hyperrealistic sculptures depicting everyday people. He created figures through a complex casting process using live models, fiberglass resin, and vinyl. His sculptures were dressed in real clothes and placed in scenes to look natural and authentic. Some of his most famous works included Tourists, Queenie II, and Homeless Person. His process for making a sculpture took around six months and involved taking a photo of the model, making a mold of their body, and pouring resin into the mold to capture fine details.

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Saïd Djebbar
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81 views1 page

Duane Hanson (1925-96) : American Sculptors

Duane Hanson was an American sculptor known for his hyperrealistic sculptures depicting everyday people. He created figures through a complex casting process using live models, fiberglass resin, and vinyl. His sculptures were dressed in real clothes and placed in scenes to look natural and authentic. Some of his most famous works included Tourists, Queenie II, and Homeless Person. His process for making a sculpture took around six months and involved taking a photo of the model, making a mold of their body, and pouring resin into the mold to capture fine details.

Uploaded by

Saïd Djebbar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as ODT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Duane Hanson (1925-96)

One of the most famous American sculptors, Duane


Hanson is best known for his superrealist figurative
sculpture of everyday middle-class American people.
Created through a complex process of casting from live
models, recreated in fiberglass resin, vinyl or bronze, his
finished figures are hugely popular and associated with
Pop Art. He dressed them in real clothes and
supplemented them with props like chairs, trolleys and
prams. Hanson produced many well-recognised works,
including Tourists (1970) Queenie II (1988), and
Homeless Person (1991)
Hanson is regarded as the greatest of all 20th century sculptors working in the style of photorealism or
hyperrealism.
Process for Making a Sculpture

The process for making a sculpture from a model took about 6 months. First Hanson took a Polaroid
picture of his model, instructing them into a position which would make them look relaxed and
credible. The model, who was asked to shave off their body hair, was greased with petroleum jelly to
ensure the easy removal of the casting material. A fast-setting silicone rubber was applied to the
model's skin, limb by limb. When the mould dried, it was cut up the back and removed from the
model. Hanson poured liquid polyester resin reinforced with fiberglass into the mould, working from
the feet up. Hanson's goal was to create a figure that look natural, un-posed and authentic. When
painting the sculpture, he had to exaggerate the shading and light, particularly around the eyes to get
a natural effect. He used acrylic paint, followed by oil paint to get the correct skin tone. He
experimented with crayons and nail polish over oil paint on the fingernails. For those sculptures made
from hard polyester resin, he bought wigs, while those made from softer vinyl materials allowed hairs
to be poked through the skull with a needle, for a more realistic illusion.

Duane Hanson (1925-96)


One of the most famous American sculptors, Duane
Hanson is best known for his superrealist figurative
sculpture of everyday middle-class American people.
Created through a complex process of casting from live
models, recreated in fiberglass resin, vinyl or bronze, his
finished figures are hugely popular and associated with
Pop Art. He dressed them in real clothes and
supplemented them with props like chairs, trolleys and
prams. Hanson produced many well-recognised works,
including Tourists (1970) Queenie II (1988), and
Homeless Person (1991)
Hanson is regarded as the greatest of all 20th century sculptors working in the style of photorealism or
hyperrealism.
Process for Making a Sculpture

The process for making a sculpture from a model took about 6 months. First Hanson took a Polaroid
picture of his model, instructing them into a position which would make them look relaxed and
credible. The model, who was asked to shave off their body hair, was greased with petroleum jelly to
ensure the easy removal of the casting material. A fast-setting silicone rubber was applied to the
model's skin, limb by limb. When the mould dried, it was cut up the back and removed from the
model. Hanson poured liquid polyester resin reinforced with fiberglass into the mould, working from
the feet up. Hanson's goal was to create a figure that look natural, un-posed and authentic. When
painting the sculpture, he had to exaggerate the shading and light, particularly around the eyes to get
a natural effect. He used acrylic paint, followed by oil paint to get the correct skin tone. He
experimented with crayons and nail polish over oil paint on the fingernails. For those sculptures made
from hard polyester resin, he bought wigs, while those made from softer vinyl materials allowed hairs
to be poked through the skull with a needle, for a more realistic illusion.

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