Robert A. Hansen, The Mission at Zacalaca
“ROBERT A. HANSEN: A JOURNEY” EXHIBIT AT FOASOUTH
Robert Hansen, a long-time Festival of Arts exhibitor whose work is part of the Festival’s Permanent Art Collection, has spent over 10 years capturing the history and people of Southern Mexico leading to the region of Yucatan. The exhibit, on display until January 24, is an intimate look at Hansen’s journey photographing the scenes and people that reflect Mexico’s unique and historic culture. The public is invited to a meet the artist at a special reception on October 3 from 6 – 9pm during First Thursdays Art Walk in Laguna Beach.
The black and white photographs capture Hansen’s travels through the back roads of the Yucatán Peninsula searching out remote Mayan ruin sites, haciendas, and abandoned churches and generally immersing himself into the Mayan culture.
“Stated simply, my truth is in the artistic growth I experienced and am continuing to experience as this work evolves,” said Hansen. “It’s about getting my agenda and myself out of the way and letting the subject speak for its self through my hands and tools.”
ABOUT ROBERT A. HANSEN
Robert Hansen was born in 1952 in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Drake University with a BS in marketing and a minor in accounting in 1975. In 1976 he attended Brooks Institute of Photography and soon received the Thiesen Scholarship Award for excellence in photojournalism. He graduated with an Associate degree from Brooks in 1978.
Hansen started his commercial photography business in 1979 as a custom lab owner and printer. At the same time, he specialized in architectural, small product, and editorial portraiture photography. His architectural images have won many design awards for clients in the Southern California area.
Since 1991, Hansen has taught photographic workshops throughout the Southwest and in Mexico. He also offers personal instruction in portfolio design and digital processes. His fine art photography is part of numerous private, commercial, and museum collections throughout the United States, Germany and Mexico.
ABOUT FOA SOUTH
Opened as a collaboration between Festival of the Arts and Active Culture, foaSOUTH serves visitors and residents of Laguna Beach by promoting Festival-related exhibitions throughout the year. Located at 1006 S. Coast Highway on the corner of Anita and PCH, the gallery has partnered with Active Culture to provide frozen yogurt and natural foods on the premises at their café. Open from 7:00am – 10:00 pm. The Festival of Arts is a non-profit organization whose proceeds go to support the arts in and about Laguna Beach. For more information, call (949) 494-1145 or go online to www.LagunaFestivalofArts.org.
Meghan Perez
Sharbie Higuchi, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Festival of Arts • 650 Laguna Canyon Road • Laguna Beach, CA 92651
