ABOUT ME — DAVID HANNAN

ARTIST STATMENT

David Hannan works with taxidermy-form sculptures to explore vulnerability, both in humans and in nature. Hannan‘s taxidermy hybrids present tension and beauty in the merging of animals into sculptures and at the same time, suggest landscape in the gentle undulations of the forms. Many of the themes in Hannan’s art derive from his indigenous heritage, particularly his engagement with history, and notions of territory. His work uses taxidermy forms to make transformational sculptures that evoke emotional responses of fear, endearment and aggression. Traditionally, taxidermy forms have been used as the basis of a hunter’s trophy, where the skin of an animal is stretched over the form to be preserved. In Hannan’s work however, instead of using animal skin, he uses packing tape and wool felt blankets that create a sense of fragility. The blankets suggest a need for warmth, protection, shelter, love and understanding but also that it can suffocate and allows us to hide from ones fear.

Education

Ontario College of Art, Toronto, ON

AOCA Diploma achieved Spring 1995 with Honours

Canterbury High School, Ottawa, ON

Diploma (OSSD) & Visual Arts Certificate achieved 1991

Solo Exhibitions

2009 Faunamorphic, Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon, MN

2006 ALLcreatures, Gallery 101, Ottawa, ON

2004 DOUBLEcurve, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay ON

2004 David Hannan new works, Galerie St. Laurent+Hill, Ottawa, ON

2002 David Hannan, Latcham Gallery, Stouffville, ON

2000 Cross Fire, Indian and Inuit Art Gallery, Hull, Quebec, and Urban Shaman Gallery, Winnipeg, MN

1999 New Works, 43˚below, Toronto, ON

1998 Hidden Heroes, Gallery 101, Ottawa, ON

1990 David Hannan, St. François Gallery, Ottawa, ON

Selected Group Exhibitions

2018 Nuit Blanche Toronto, Toronto, ON

2017 Connective Tissue: New Approaches to Fiber in Contemporary Native Art, IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Art, Santa Fe, NM USA

2014-2012 Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation 3, Museum of Art and Design, New York USA

2007 Remix: New Modernities in a Post Indian World. Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona USA

2005 Everyday Light, Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, ON

2004 Utopia/ Dystopia, York Quay Gallery Case Studies, Harbourfront Centre Toronto, ON

2001 Traces of Colour, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg, ON

2001 Comfort Zones: textiles in the Canadian landscape, Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto ON

2001 Rielisms, The Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, MN and The Dunlop Gallery, Regina, SK

2000 Re-awakening a Nation, Law Society of Upper Canada, Toronto, ON

2000-1997 Transitions, Traveling Exhibition, World Wide, France, Canada, Costa Rica, Taiwan, New Zealand.

1999 First Nations Art '99, Woodland Cultural Centre, Brantford, ON

1998 18 + Over, Simcoe Gallery, Toronto, Ontario,

1998 An Exhibition of Fine Art, Factory Gallery, Toronto, Ontario,

1997 Xcavation, Dufferin Mall, Toronto, Ontario,

1996 Neebing Nugushkiwauding, Toronto City Hall Rotunda, Toronto, ON

1996 First Nations Art '96, Woodland Cultural Centre, Brantford, ON

1996 Blood & Belonging OCA Gallery, Toronto, ON

1995 Group Exhibition Metro Toronto Convention & Visitors Centre, Toronto, ON

1995 First Nations Art '95, Woodland Cultural Centre, Brantford, ON

1995 Waterbound, Idee Gallery, Toronto, ON

Publications

Johnson, K.(June 20, 2008)” Beyond Stereotypes: 21st-Century Indian Artists” New York Times

Villani, J “Remix” Art News(vol 107 no 3) p. 147

Everett, D. and Zorn, E. Encyclopedia of Native American Artists(2008) Greenwood Press. p. 61-62.

McMaster, Gerald 2007. “Native Identity in Age of Hybridity.” Remix: New Modernities in a Post Indian WorldNational Museum of the American Indian. p.66

Mattes, Catherine. (2001). Rielisms. Rielisms.The Winnipeg Art Gallery. p.12-22, p38

Eyland, Cliff. (volume 20, number 2, issue 78) Officaldumbing. Border Crossings, p.122

Enright, Robert. (2001, May 12). “Legends of the fall”. The Globe and Mail. p.V8

Comfort Zones: textiles in the Canadian landscape. (2001) Textile Museum of Canada,, p.22

National Aboriginal Day.(summer 2000) Owl magazine. p 35

Transitions Contemporary Canadian Indian and Inuit Art. (1997) Dept. of Indian Affairs, Canada. p28-29

Wawzonek, Donna. (1998, April 7) “Creation's laughter in Native Art”. The Ottawa Citizen. p.F3

Angle, Wide (no.83. October 1995). “Get A Start on Native Art” Equinox. p 117-118

Angle, Wide (no.83. October 1995). Get A Start on Native Art Equinox. p 117-118

Scholarships & Awards

2017 REVEAL- Indigenous Art Awards, The Hnatyshyn Foundation

2010 KM Hunter Award

2010/2007 Mid-Career Artist, Ontario Arts Council

2008 Aboriginal Arts Projects, Ontario Arts Council

2003 Royal Canadian Mint, Back to Batoche Festivals coin design

2001 Canada Council for the Arts: Visual Arts Production Grant

2001 Toronto Arts Council: Grant to Visual Artist

2000 National Aboriginal Day poster competition

1999 Canada Council for the Arts: Quest Program Grant

1999 Metis Nation of Ontario: Metis Culture-based Economic Development Grant

1996-2003 First Nations in the Classroom: Individuals, Ontario Arts Council

1996-2003 Artists in Education: Individuals, Ontario Arts Council

1995 David L. Stevenson Scholarship Drawing & Painting Scholarship

1988 South East Asian Cultural Convention Award of Excellence

Collections

National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, Toronto, ON

Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, ON

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada: Indian Art Centre, Hull, Quebec

Woodland Cultural Centre: Brantford, ON

Residency

2000/2001/2006 Artist in Residence program, McMichael Canadian Art Collection, Kleinburg, ON

2000 Artist in Residence program, Indian Art Centre, Hull Quebec