Artwork copyright Art Hansen. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Forest and Clearing, 1977

Art Hansen
(American, born 1929, died 2017)

Location: Office of the Governor, Olympia

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Late Northwest artist Art Hansen created Forest and Clearing based on the winter landscape he observed surrounding his home on Vashon Island. The composition uses negative space to depict the forest floor, which contrasts dynamically with richly detailed trees.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Washington State Parks.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Late artist Art Hansen (1929-2017) drew his inspiration from the ponds, forests, and farmland of rural Vashon Island in South Puget Sound, Western Washington. He was born on Vashon, and it was his home for over fifty years at the end of his life.

Hansen earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in Seattle. In 1952, he had a solo exhibition of his work at Seattle Art Museum. He traveled to Germany on a Fulbright Scholarship and studied at the Munich Academy of the Arts where he developed his own etching technique. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 1957. Hansen’s work is included in many collections including Boeing, Microsoft, Seattle Art Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, and the Library of Congress.