Michael Hannon Sculpture

Wood Figures

As a model maker at Toyota's design studio for 25 years, wood was one of the materials frequently used in making the car models. I continue to use the same or similar techniques today as I work with the human figure.

I try to work character into the expressions, the body, the angle of torso, the hands. Everything is important.

Several of these wood figures in corporate moving parts, for example, at the neck or wrist. This unique feature allows one to make small changes in the gestures of the figure which can change their countenance and demeanor entirely.

I like placing these pieces together in groupings of two or more. As I change their gestures such as altering the tilt of a head or wrist, these shifts change the conversation the pieces have with one another as well as with the viewer.

"L"

Redwood
39”H
© 2023 Michael Hannon

"L"

Redwood
39”H
© 2023 Michael Hannon

No Bones

Redwood
32”H
© 2023 Michael Hannon

No Bones

Redwood
32”H
© 2023 Michael Hannon

A Walk in the Park

Redwood
© 2023 Michael Hannon

A Walk in the Park

Redwood
© 2023 Michael Hannon

African Queen

Redwood, Cedar
36"H x 22"W x 15"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

African Queen (Detail)

Redwood, Cedar
36"H x 22"W x 15"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

African Queen

Redwood, Cedar
36"H x 22"W x 15"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Suit

Redwood, Cedar
36"H x 24"W x 14"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Suit

Redwood, Cedar
36"H x 24"W x 14"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Suit

Redwood, Cedar
36"H x 24"W x 14"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Sofia

Redwood, Cedar
32"H x 16"W x 14"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Sofia

Redwood, Cedar
32"H x 16"W x 14"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Sofia

Self-Portrait

Redwood, Cedar
32"H x 21"W x 14"D
© 2015 Michael Hannon

Self-Portrait

Redwood, Cedar
32"H x 21"W x 14"D
© 2015 Michael Hannon

Self-Portrait

Redwood, Cedar
32"H x 21"W x 14"D
© 2015 Michael Hannon

Spanish Dancer

Redwood, Cedar
63"H x 31"W x 21"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Spanish Dancer

Redwood, Cedar
63"H x 31"W x 21"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Spanish Dancer

Redwood, Cedar
63"H x 31"W x 21"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Mokume

Redwood, Cedar
32"H x 27"W x 18"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Mokume

Redwood, Cedar
32"H x 27"W x 18"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Mokume

Redwood, Cedar
32"H x 27"W x 18"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Guido (Detail)

Redwood, Cedar
27"H x 17"W x 10"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Guido

Redwood, Cedar
27"H x 17"W x 10"D
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Paper Sculpture

Torso in White

Watercolor Paper, Steel Base
39”H x 22”W x 23”D
© 2017 Michael Hannon

Torso in White

Watercolor Paper, Steel Base
39”H x 22”W x 23”D
© 2017 Michael Hannon

Torso in White

Torso in Black and White

Watercolor Paper, Wood Base
32”H x 20”W x 32”D
© 2017 Michael Hannon

Torso in Black and White

Watercolor Paper, Wood Base
32”H x 20”W x 32”D
© 2017 Michael Hannon

Torso in Black and White

Watercolor Paper, Wood Base
32”H x 20”W x 32”D
© 2017 Michael Hannon

Paper Doll #1 & #2

Paper Doll #1 (left):
Watercolor Paper
57”H x 26”W x 7”D

Paper doll #2 (right):
Watercolor Paper
57”H x 16”W x 7”D

Paper Doll #2 (Detail)

Watercolor Paper
57”H x 16”W x 7”D

Paper Doll #1

Watercolor Paper
57”H x 26”W x 7”D

Paper Doll #1 & #2

Paper Doll #1 (left):
Watercolor Paper
57”H x 26”W x 7”D

Paper Doll #2 (right):
Watercolor Paper
57”H x 16”W x 7”D

Metal Figures

At Cal State Long Beach, I majored in jewelry and metal smithing (with metal smithing being my main focus). I learned how to hammer metal onto steel stakes and make traditional objects such as teapots, chalices and silverware.

I continued working with metal as a model maker at Toyota's design studio.

After moving to the Central Coast, a friend gave me some salvaged copper gutters. I experimented with these while researching how the Statue of Liberty was made using copper sheets. From there, I came up with my own process for making human figures and birds.

Metamorphosis III (Right Side View)

Copper
54"H x 20"W x 20"D
© 2020 Michael Hannon

Metamorphosis III (Front View Detail)

Copper
54"H x 20"W x 20"D
© 2020 Michael Hannon

Metamorphosis III (Left Side View)

Copper
54"H x 20"W x 20"D
© 2020 Michael Hannon

Metamorphosis III (Left Side View Detail)

Copper
54"H x 20"W x 20"D
© 2020 Michael Hannon

Athena (View 1)

43"H x 22"W x 32"D
Copper
© 2017 Michael Hannon

Athena (View 2)

43"H x 22"W x 32"D
Copper
© 2017 Michael Hannon

Athena (View 3)

43"H x 22"W x 32"D
Copper
© 2017 Michael Hannon

Athena (View 4)

43"H x 22"W x 32"D
Copper
© 2017 Michael Hannon

Appeal (View 1)

32"H x 14"W x 19"D
Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Appeal (View 2)

32"H x 14"W x 19"D
Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Astrid

63"H x 18"W x 18"D
Copper, Steel
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Astrid (Detail)

63"H x 18"W x 18"D
Copper, Steel
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Remote

34"H x 30"W x 18"D
Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon (Sold)

Warrior 1

33"H x 21"W x 14"D
Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Warrior 2

31"H x 22"W x 20"D
Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon (Sold)

Illuminated Woman

64"H x 20"W x 18"D
Aluminum, MDF, Plexiglas
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Illuminated Woman (Detail)

64"H x 20"W x 18"D
Aluminum, MDF, Plexiglas
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Illuminated Woman

64"H x 20"W x 18"D
Aluminum, MDF, Plexiglas
© 2016 Michael Hannon

Duct Tape Figures

The combination of duct tape and newspaper as a figurative medium was discovered while trying to expedite a three-dimensional form for use with the repousséd copper process. The interim form was used to make a mold and then discarded.

Soon, this readily available medium with its versatility and quick application became a focus of my curiosity and then became its own art form.

Swoon

65"H x 29"W x 31"D
Duct Tape, Newspaper, Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Last Look

60"H x 22"W x 20"D
Duct Tape, Newspaper, Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Paper Dancer

58"H x 30"W x 32"D
Duct Tape, Newspaper, Papier-Mâché
© 2013 Michael Hannon (Sold)

Page One

50"H x 24"W x 24"D
Duct Tape, Newspaper, Papier-Mâché
© 2013 Michael Hannon (Sold)

Grief

25"H x 27"W x 28"D
Duct Tape, Newspaper, Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Kick Boxers

66"H x 37"W x 33"D
Duct Tape, Newspaper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Kick Boxers (Detail)

66"H x 32"W x 50"D
Duct Tape, Newspaper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Birds

When I do a bird, I try to put expression and emotion into my sculpture. It’s not just a bird. There’s an attitude and emotion expressed. It’s like they’re talking to you, and you’re having a conversation with them.

Owl

28"H
Copper
© 2023 Michael Hannon

Owl

28"H
Copper
© 2023 Michael Hannon

Raven (Wings Down)

28"H x 32”W
Redwood
© 2023 Michael Hannon

Raven (Wings Up)

33"H x 28”W
Redwood
© 2023 Michael Hannon

Raven (Wings Up)

33"H x 28”W
Redwood
© 2023 Michael Hannon

Copper Raven

28"H
Copper
© 2023 Michael Hannon

Copper Raven

28"H
Copper
© 2023 Michael Hannon

Black Raven 1

26"H
Wire, Acrylic, Paper
© 2023 Michael Hannon

Black Raven 1

26"H
Wire, Acrylic, Paper
© 2023 Michael Hannon

Black Raven 2

26"H
Wire, Acrylic, Paper
© 2023 Michael Hannon

White Raven 1

30"H x 40"W x 24"D
Chicken Wire, Poster Board
© 2020 Michael Hannon

White Raven 1 (Side View)

30"H x 40"W x 24"D
Chicken Wire, Poster Board
© 2020 Michael Hannon

White Raven 2

30"H x 42"W x 24"D
Chicken Wire, Poster Board
© 2020 Michael Hannon

Raven 1

Life Size
Copper, Redwood
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Raven 2

Life Size
opper, Redwood
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Raven 2 (Alternate View)

Life Size
opper, Redwood
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Raven 2 (Alternate View)

Life Size
opper, Redwood
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Egrets

80"H x 40"W x 40"D
Wood, Steel, Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Egrets (Detail)

80"H x 40"W x 40"D
Wood, Steel, Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Egrets (Detail)

80"H x 40"W x 40"D
Wood, Steel, Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Egrets

80"H x 40"W x 40"D
Wood, Steel, Copper
© 2013 Michael Hannon

Lamps

In the 1980's I was instantly struck by the beauty of contemporary lamp design while walking by Ron Rezek Design Atelier in the Pacific Design Showrooms in Los Angeles. At that time I was working full-time at Calty Design in Newport Beach where, during lunch hour, employees were allowed to work on personal projects.

After several years of making lamps, in 1989, I entered and won an international lamp design competition sponsored by Artimide and Ron Rezek. The lamp that won was "Tori."

In current years my focus has been on creating figurative sculptures. However, most recently, I have returned to lamp design. My renewed focus now fuses my jewelry and metalsmithing background with sculpture. I refer to the pieces as "Functional Sculpture."