Interdisciplinary Lens-Based Artist
Support independent art outside the mainstream. You can donate to support Michael Hanna's practice at the following Donation Link.
Works by Michael Hanna are available for purchase at Saatchi Art.
Statement:
My practice is lens-based at the core and interdisciplinary in nature. Spanning photographic assemblage, glass assemblage, moving-image, and arthouse documentary photography, my work uses integrative methods, both with experimental use of materials and combining disciplines, to create compositions which speak to the purpose of contemporary identity in the digital era. The photographs and use of creative writing which are integrated throughout the works explore unusual sensory experiences containing enchanted and ethereal connotations. From capturing the textures of glowing neon-colored coral with clownfish and other forms of aquatic life to the ominous presence of an empty ballroom in a luxury hotel to the light particles emanating off sunlight, lamps, and street lights on to the streets and linen-wrapped interiors, my practice is based on identifying experiences which has the viewer question their illusory experiences and environments.
One of the most important components of my work is there is no post-production editing to any of the raw images. In my photography, photographic assemblages, moving-images, and photo-based works, the photographs have no digital alterations, enhancements, or effects. For example, even though my photographic assemblages have images combined and texts added in Photoshop, the photographs themselves are unaltered. Same with my moving-image works, the videos have music and texts added with a video editor as well as the general editing, but the actual raw footage of the films are untouched.
Through integrative practice and raw, unfiltered imagery, my lens-based arts, in all forms, reveals a dichotomy between perception and interpretation. Through careful chosen subject matter, lighting, conceptual composition, and applied texts, my works communicate a sense of isolation and despair yet an unnerving aesthetic which offers experiences which are engaging, lucid, and enchanted. With unfamiliar sensory experiences and composure which draws attention to peculiarity, the viewer will find in the lens-based works a sense of escapism within the confines of captured reality.
Statement on Glass Assemblage:
The assemblage art contains photography mounted on canvas as well as placement with various materials (such as sea glass, crushed glass, satin fabric) and written text in ink. I take my camera with me almost everywhere I go as my photography captures everyday sensory experiences. Much like a journal, the photographs identify and crop subject matter which I find has poetic and philosophical purpose in regard to contemporary identity. After the photography becomes mounted on the canvas, I write texts with ink on the canvas with poetic passages which ambiguously describe the subject. Upon the remaining surface, loose material configurations are made with various materials which helps deconstruct the physical aspects of the subject. The entire process, from capturing the subject, to deconstruction with material composure, to philosophical scribing, entails a method steeped in a heightened sense of individualism in regard to image-making. My photography contains no Photoshop alteration and without any other digital enhancement in order to provide a documentary experience of a raw image.
Various materials contained within my assemblages have specific conceptual purposes. For example, I often take photographs of aquatic life from aquariums and the watery mists of beach shores. As a result, the sea glass and crushed glass I use has a connotation with ocean and rain water because of the reflective shine which resembles the glistening glow of light penetrating aqua as well as the fact sea glass comes from the ocean. In addition, glass comes from sand and sand comes from the beach, another direct conceptual reference. Satin becomes used to convey a theatrical display. The fabric is often applied to the surface of my work in a manner similar to the drapery of a theatre stage. Also, satin is generally regarded as a luxurious and fine material which reflects the value I have towards my subject matter, as elements which are sacred.
During the process of capturing selective imagery from my daily life, experiences, and travel with photography, I build upon the image by fusing the photographs with integrative ‘material drawings’ which establish new angles, perspectives, texture, and surfaces in which to engage the subject matter. The combinative and organic work becomes defined by process as even the written texts become open to individual interpretation by the viewer. As a writer and publisher, the written word has important symbolic significance to my identity. By fusing written text with image-making, I create a conscious interpretation of my artistic methods in real-time. Besides the literal attributions, the works are also metaphorical assemblages because they integrate four artforms containing photography, glass work, fiber, and creative writing into one cohesive work of art. Combining the intense power of realism with photography, the interpretative energy of the written word and expressive material placement, the assemblage constructs a bridge through the deconstruction of observable subject matter into forms of new visual and improvised consumption.
Biography:
Michael Athanasius Hanna (born 1983) is a photographer, writer, assemblage and moving-image artist originally from Jersey City, New Jersey who has been creating art since the age of eight. His exhibitions have included features across the United States and internationally in Europe. The works of Michael Hanna typically use arthouse documentary methods of capturing unfamiliar and enchanted sensory experiences through conceptual integrative and interdisciplinary practices, often infused with the use of philosophical as well as poetic texts. Michael has been published by The London Group, Saatchi Art, The New York Times, Hartford Courant, Daily Record, and The Jersey Journal. He works out of his art studio located in the New Jersey Shore.
Curriculum Vitae
Publications:
Illuminated Aquatic Theatre : Interdisciplinary Lens-Based Arts of Michael Hanna. ISBN: 9781105302039. Lulu Press. Available in both linen wrap hardcover and perfect bound paperback. 5/15/2026.
Decagon Gallery. Online Solo Feature. Documentary & Conceptual Photography. 11/11/2025.
The London Group. Newsletter. An article posting my critical essay about Chris Horner. 5/7/2025.
LoosenArt. A Scientific Approach. Published in print catalogue and online. 6/25/2025.
Saatchi Art. New This Week. 7/29/2024.
Saatchi Art. New This Week. 2/19/2024.
Ypilson Art. Interview with Polish nonprofit arts organization. 2023.
The New York Times - Atrium solo exhibit listed. 12/27/2014.
Hartford Courant - Artsmart blog. 2/2015.
Daily Record - Atrium solo exhibit news article. 9/19/2014.
The Jersey Journal / NJ.com. Poetry, art and more at JCAI Artist Coffeehouse in Jersey City. Written by Paige Finnerty. 4/3/2015.
The Jersey Journal / NJ.com. Jersey City Artist Initiative artist coffeehouse to take place on April 10. Written by Paige Finnerty. 4/1/2015.
The Jersey Journal / NJ.com. Jersey City Artists Initiative hopes to bring collaboration, socializing to art scene. Written by Summer Dawn Hortillosa. 8/13/2014.
ArtPrideNJ.com - Artist of the month. April 2014.
Solo Exhibitions:
The Colonnade: Performing Arts Theatre. The Abyss Stares Back. Ringgold, Georgia. 2025.
The Colonnade: Performing Arts Theatre. New Life. Ringgold, Georgia. 2025.
Greenpoint Gallery. Enchanted Tide. New York, NY. 2025.
The Colonnade: Performing Arts Theatre. Interior Paintings. Ringgold, Georgia. 2024.
Wix Lounge Gallery : Enchanted Physics. Chelsea, Manhattan. New York, NY. 2016.
Victoria Gallery at Art Factory. Art Walk. Paterson, New Jersey 2015.
The Barrow Mansion. Power of Paper: Digital & Drawings. Jersey City, New Jersey. 2015.
Town Hall of Hanover. Linear Metamorphosis. Whippany, New Jersey. 2015.
Trolley Car. Sobering Linearity. Jersey City, New Jersey. 2015.
Atrium Gallery. Arts Council of Morristown, New Jersey. 2014 - 2015.
Noah Webster Gallery. Industrial Planes. West Hartford, Connecticut. 2014-2015.
Silk Gallery at the Art Factory. Building Bridges. Paterson, New Jersey. 2014.
Exhibitions:
The Oyster Point Hotel. Jersey Artist Registry. Red Bank, New Jersey. 2026.
Powell Lane Arts. Groovin. Collingswood, New Jersey. 2026.
Art Alliance Studio & Gallery. 39th Annual Juried Exhibition. Red Bank, New Jersey. 2026.
Powell Lane Arts. F-Words. Collingswood, New Jersey. 2026.
Leach Gallery at Studio Montclair. Freedom. Montclair, New Jersey. 2026.
Powell Lane Arts. All the Rage. Collingswood, New Jersey. 2026.
The Oyster Point Hotel Gallery. Jersey Artist Registry. Red Bank, New Jersey. 2025.
Space - Millepiani (curated by LoosenArt). A Scientific Approach. Rome, Italy. 2025.
St. Louis Artists’ Guild. Between the Lines. St. Louis, Missouri. 2025.
Greenpoint Gallery. First Fall Open Call Salon Show. New York, NY. 2025.
Alpharetta Arts Center. Order and Chaos. Alpharetta, Georgia. 2025.
Corgi Clay Art Center. Go Figure! Stafford, Virginia. 2024.
South Cobb Arts Alliance. 2024 Member Exhibit.. Kennesaw, Georgia. 2024.
Medford Arts Center. Just Faces. Medford, New Jersey 2024.
Greenpoint Gallery. Open Call Salon Show. New York, NY. 2024.
Rhode Island Watercolor Society. Small Works. Pawtucket, Rhode Island. 2023.
Alfa Art Gallery. Close to Home NBAS Oil, Sculpture & Mixed Media. New Brunswick, New Jersey. 2023.
Alfa Art Gallery. L'Appel Du Vide : Oil Color & Mixed Media Salon. New Brunswick, New Jersey. 2016.
Hogarth Biannual. Meaningful. Meaningless. Park Ave, Manhattan, New York, NY. 1 year exhibit. 2014-2015.
Monmouth Museum. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, Oh My! Lincroft, New Jersey. 2015.
City Hall of Jersey City. Eternal Glory, New Jersey. 2015.
58 Gallery. Cyberpunk. Jersey City, New Jersey. 2015.
Lincoln Inn. Artist House (June). Jersey City, New Jersey. 2015.
Lincoln Inn. Artist CoffeeHouse. Jersey City, New Jersey. 2015.
The Tides Art Gallery. Hotel Tides. Jersey Artist Registry: Exhibition #1. Asbury Park, New Jersey. 2015.
LITM Gallery. Little Wonders. Jersey City, New Jersey.2015.
Maxwells. My View. Hoboken, New Jersey. 2015.
Maxwells. Winter Blues. Hoboken, New Jersey. 2015.
Chashama Gallery. The Seed. Manhattan, New York City. 2014.
The Park Foundry, JCAI: Transcendental Downtown. Jersey City, New Jersey. 2014.
LITM Gallery. The Sight of Music. Jersey City, New Jersey. 2014.
City Hall of Jersey City. Two-Person Exhibition. New Jersey. 2014.
Raven Art Gallery & Boutique. Jersey City, New Jersey. 2014.
LITM Gallery. Chimeras. Jersey City, New Jersey. 2014.
Greenpoint Gallery. Fall Grand Salon Show. New York, NY. 2014.
Greenpoint Gallery. People's Choice Salon Show. New York, NY. 2014.
Greenpoint Gallery. Spring Juried Salon Show. New York, NY. 2014.
Greenpoint Gallery. Spring Grand Salon Show. New York, NY. 2014.
Nelvis Studios. The Collaboration. Elizabeth, New Jersey.2014.
Associations:
Jersey Artist Registry
Red Bank, New Jersey
A selective curated network and collection of New Jersey artists organized by Curator Ellen Martin.
https://jerseyartistregistry.com/artist/michael-hanna
Point Pleasant Publishing
Editor & Curator, 2014 - 2026
Support independent art outside the mainstream. You can donate to support Michael Hanna's art at the following Donation Link.
Contact me if you would like to purchase my work or network.
Art Studio located in:
New Jersey Shore - United States
Art studio located in the New York metropolitan area.
