October 4 - November 1, 2003
Reception: Saturday, October 4, 2003 from 2 - 6 PM
Reception: Saturday, October 4, 2003 from 2 - 6 PM
The major focus in Hansen's work is the telling of stories based on her own life experiences. Like a diary, her ceramics chronicle her personal history. Her pieces are characterized by distinctive symbols and metaphors, juxtaposing imagery and expressive color. They often include hears of painted clay and wire and are adorned with jewel-like ribbons. Hansen's style has been described as whimsical, fun, insightful and introspective. She feels that the "magic" in her art occurs when viewers can respond to her visual stories through their own life experiences.
Hansen says, "I see art as an expression of the human condition. I have chosen clay because clay takes forms, records impressions, and accepts color with ease. In addition, clay is fragile. So is my subject matter." She uses low-fire clay, nichrome wire, hardware from the hardware store, acrylic paint, bits of ribbon, and various mixed media in her work. Her chairs in this exhibition are primarily between 18" and 24" high.
Hansen lives and maintains a clay studio in the San Diego area, where she has spent most of her life. She attended Lakeside schools, Grossmont College, and San Diego State University, where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Art and teaching credentials in art and English. Johanna enjoyed teaching art and English in public schools for thirteen years before she retired to raise her son, Elden, and to devote more time to her artwork.
This prolific artist has exhibited widely and is represented in numerous galleries in the southern California area. She is a long-time participant in shows at both Folk Tree locations. This is her third one-person show at The Folk Tree Collection.
The Folk Tree Collection is at 199 S. Fair Oaks Ave. (15 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, off the end of the 110 freeway) near the heart of Old Pasadena. The Folk Tree is a few doors south at 217 S. Fair Oaks Ave. Hours are: M - W, 11 - 6; Th - Sat, 10 - 6; Sun, 12 - 5. For further information, contact Gail Mishkin at The Folk Tree Collection at 626/793-4828.
