Mike Hansel is a fine art sculptor who uses welded sculptures as a means of pointing people away from what they take for granted toward an oddly humorous world composed of vaguely familiar elements. They are re-invented associations made between careful observations and the half-forgotten elements of memory.
Hansel says, “I attempt to distort traditional assumptions relating to function while also suggesting a conceptual relationship between life and industry. My primary method is to create industrial looking forms, which serve only aesthetic purposes. This contrasting relationship between hard and soft forms is the basic component of how I interpret things visually. Their interaction is, in one way or another the overriding concept in all of the objects I have made. Each piece, I think, tells a slightly different story. Some suggest a tranquil association between two very different components. Others allude to machines that can manipulate organic things and sometimes biomorphic forms start to take on mechanical characteristics. All of them attempt to illustrate the sense of irony that seems to exist when forms are separated from their function.”
Education
1989
Master of Fine Art, Sculpture, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
1986
Bachelor of Fine Art, Ceramics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Teaching Experience
1993 – Current
Teacher of foundation studies, 3-D design, sculpture, and Advanced Placement studio art courses, St. Georges School, Newport, RI
2004
Adjunct Professor of Sculpture, Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
2002
Instructor of summer course for undergraduate students in metal fabrication, Western New Mexico University, Silver City, NM
1990 – 1993
Secondary school teacher of sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, and drawing, The Peddie School, Hightstown, NJ
Recent Exhibitions
2022
Sculpture on the Lawn, Orlando, FL
2021
Synergy: with Mike Hansel and Lauren Ball, in collaboration with Monica King Projects, New York, NY
2021
Sculpture in the Landscape, Van Wyck, SC
2021
NBOSS 2021, Bennington, VT
2019
The Avenue Concept, Providence, RI
2019
Tennessee Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Johnson City, TN
2019
Sculpture in the Landscape, Goldsboro, NC
2018
T.F. Green Airport Exhibition, Warwick, RI
2018
Nesto Gallery, Milton Academy, Milton, MA
2017
The Chazon Gallery at Wheeler, Providence, RI
2016
30th Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Best of Show, Boone, NC
Public Collections and Commissions
Village of Oak Park, Oak Park, IL
Fidelity Bank, Providence, RI
Newport Art Museum, Newport, RI
St. George’s School, Newport, RI
The Gow School, South Wales, NY
State University of New York, Fredonia, NY
Goldenvoice Promotions, Los Angeles, CA
Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians, Temecula, CA
Buffalo Creek Art Center, Gardnerville, NV
Tuscawilla Art Park, Ocala, FL