Real lives captured

Real lives captured

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Sculptures portraying working-class Americans and overlooked members of society are on display at the Serpentine Sackler Gallery in London. U.S. artist Duane Hanson started creating the realistic figures in the late 1960s.

Interaction between the artworks, uncannily lifelike, and gallery visitors remains part of the appeal. The London exhibit is the largest British show of Hanson’s art since 1997.

. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Visitors (left and right) view a sculpture entitled 'Self-Portrait and Model’.

“Beyond the stunning realism, the power of Hanson’s work lies in his unwavering focus and sympathy for the human condition,” Julia Peyton-Jones, Director, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Co-Director, are quoted as saying on the Serpentines Galleries’ website.

The creations of Hanson, who died in 1996, have been exhibited worldwide. That included shows at London’s Saatchi Gallery and the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh.

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Hanson aimed to reflect everyday Americans.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Hanson aimed to reflect everyday Americans.

The sculpture is entitled 'Queenie II'.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Toby Melville

The sculpture is entitled 'Queenie II'.

Paintings and books are included in one artwork called 'Flea Market Lady'.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Paintings and books are included in one artwork called 'Flea Market Lady'.

A painter is among the professions on display.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Toby Melville

A painter is among the professions on display.

A gallery visitor walks past a sculpture entitled 'Children Playing Game'.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Toby Melville

A gallery visitor walks past a sculpture entitled 'Children Playing Game'.

The installation also includes the sculpture 'Baby in Stroller’.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Toby Melville

The installation also includes the sculpture 'Baby in Stroller’.

Hanson chose the clothes and accessories for each sculpture.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Hanson chose the clothes and accessories for each sculpture.

He designed his art to shift perspectives on everyday roles.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Toby Melville

He designed his art to shift perspectives on everyday roles.

Hanson used polyester resin to cast figures from live models.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Hanson used polyester resin to cast figures from live models.