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David Hannan (artist) facts for kids

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David Hannan
Born 1971 (age 53–54)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Nationality Métis
Education Ontario College of Art
Known for Painter, sculptor, mixed media artist, installation artist

David Hannan (born 1971) is a talented Métis Canadian artist. He is known for his paintings, sculptures, and films. He also creates art using different materials, which is called mixed media art. David Hannan lives in Toronto, Ontario.

He graduated from the Ontario College of Art in 1995. Much of Hannan's art explores his cultural background. He also focuses on the history of Indigenous rights. His work often shows ideas about change and transformation.

Growing Up and School

David Hannan was born in 1971 in Ottawa, Ontario. His mother had Miꞌkmaq and Algonquin heritage. His father was not Indigenous. David's maternal grandmother was Mi'kmaq from Richibucto, New Brunswick. His maternal grandfather was Algonquin from northeastern Ontario. He used to be a vaudeville performer.

Because his father worked for a survey company, David often stayed with his grandmother. She encouraged his interest in art. She gave him art supplies and drawing materials. David has a brother who works with computers. His brother used to be a photographer.

His Education Journey

When David was in elementary school, he was in a special education class. This was until eighth grade. Then, his family moved to Thailand for three years for his father's job. David learned to speak Thai in just six months!

He attended an international school in Bangkok. There, he met an art teacher named Robert Gutowski. They became friends. In 1988, David returned to Ottawa. He went to Canterbury High School for the Arts. He graduated in 1991. Later, he moved to Toronto to attend the Ontario College of Art. He earned many awards and scholarships there. He received his diploma in 1995. David's parents always supported his dream of becoming an artist.

His Art Career

Early Paintings

After finishing art school, Hannan became a painter. He made art that looked like collages. He often used family photos in his work. His early paintings showed two main ideas. Works like Camping Stories and At the Cottage showed happy times. But other pieces, like Broken Man and Untitled (Crossfire), showed difficult times.

Many of Hannan's paintings use different materials. This is called multi-media art. He often includes pieces of Melton cloth. This fabric is important to the history of Europeans and First Nations peoples. Around 2000, Hannan created art about Louis Riel. Riel was a key historical figure in Canada. He was involved in the Red River Rebellion and North-West Rebellion.

Sculpting His Ideas

In 2001, Hannan started creating sculptures. He also began making installation art. This is art that fills a space. His works like Invaded Wilderness and Copper Land used copper. They showed copper taking over nature. This was a reference to Canada being a big producer of copper.

By 2003, David Hannan was getting many art requests. He said that being an artist can be tough. It takes a lot of talent to succeed.

A Puppeteer Too!

Around 2003, Hannan worked for Waterwood Theater Projects in Toronto. He teamed up with Dan Wood. They wrote, built, rehearsed, and performed a puppet show. This show was different from his usual art. It did not focus on his cultural themes. In an interview, Hannan said he didn't want to be limited. He felt he didn't have to only work on Native themes as a Native artist.

Artworks and Exhibitions

50 Cents - Return to Batoche

In 2003, David Hannan designed a new 50-cent coin for Canada. He engraved it with other artists. The coin was shown to the public in Batoche that summer. It honored the Métis festival held there every year.

One side of the coin showed Elizabeth II. The other side had "Saskatchewan 2003 Saskatchewan" written on it.

ALLcreatures

One of Hannan's exhibitions was called ALLcreatures. It was open from October 19 to November 18, 2006. It was held in Ottawa at Gallery 101. The show featured a sculpture called Hunt and the hunted.

This sculpture looked like taxidermy, but it was made from packing tape. It showed life-sized deer and coyotes. They were hollow and see-through. The animals hung from the ceiling. A light shone from the center, making them glow. This artwork explored ideas about death and new beginnings.

Faunamorphic

Faunamorphic was another exhibition by Hannan. It was open from July 3 to August 15, 2019. It was at the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba in Brandon, Manitoba. The art in Faunamorphic included sculptures and paintings. They showed animals with twisted or changed features.

For example, one piece showed a wolf's thigh. The muscles were detailed. But the thigh was twisted upwards. It changed into something that was not quite human or animal. Hannan said his art connects his heritage with modern city life. He also mentioned that this was his first time using wolves in his art. Before, he mostly used deer and coyotes, which are common in Toronto.

Untitled, 2004 and Untitled, 2009

Two works in Faunamorphic were Untitled, 2004 and Untitled, 2009. These were sculptures of single limbs or bodies. They showed feelings of being vulnerable or exposed.

Pile, 2009

Pile, also in Faunamorphic, used fake deer heads. They looked old and were stacked carefully. The outside of the heads looked corroded. But inside, there were small green stems. This showed the idea of decay on the outside and life within.

List of Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

  • "DOUBLEcurve", Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, 2005
  • "WILDness", The Station Gallery, Whitby, 2004
  • "David Hannan new works", Galerie St. Laurent+Hill, Ottawa, 2004
  • "Cross Fire", Indian and Inuit Art Gallery, Gatineau, and Urban Shaman Gallery, Winnipeg, 2000
  • "Hidden Heroes", Gallery 101, Ottawa, 1998.

Group Exhibitions

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