Queenie II, 1988 - polychromed bronze with accessories"Duane Hanson (1925-1996) was an American artist whose primary interest was in recreating the human form, and well known for his lifecast and realistic works of everyday people. Hanson uses a range of materials including polyester resin, fibreglass, bondo and bronze. He first began representing the human body at age 13 in 1938 when created a 3 dimensional wood rendering of the figure in Thomas Gainsborough's famous portrait 'The Blue Boy' (c. 1770). Hanson's earlier sculptural works include a carving of his mothers broomstick, which he made into miniature representations of the human form."
The individuals which Hanson has chosen to represent appear to have the stereotypical appearance of Americans, especially the uniform of the janitor and the holiday outfits of the tourists. What interested me the most however, are the blank expressions and motionless stances of the individuals. The certainly don't appear to be enjoying themselves, doing it is whatever they're doing. Because the invidual's roles in society are so easily identifiable, and their expressions so plain; I feel that Hanson is attempting to comment on the routine of everyday life and perhaps the inability to escape routine (of a job for example).
Traveller, 1988 - autobody filler, fibreglass and mixed media with accessorieshttp://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/duane_hanson.htm
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