A.M. Hanson / brief yearly biog notes / Alexander Mark Hanson. Born: 1969, Yorkshire, UK.
Adopted and raised in Bardsey, West Yorkshire; semi-rural suburbia of motorways, ancient
earthworks, and haystacks. 1970- 1974: Earliest memories are formed of flying away from a
rainy Luton with the `cheap n' colourful` Court Line to the Med. At nursery school (Bardsey
Village) Hanson soon resources the dressing up box and starts singing to the other kids.
Becomes avid collector of Ladybird books. Various early `creative visits` made to his
mother's (A.A. Hanson) Leeds pottery shared studio.1976 - : Leaves Bardsey Primary and
starts at Moorlands School (nr.Leeds). The Victorian building was once used in the opening
credits of the Hammer House of Horror TV series and Hanson is inspired by the quirky
layout and surrounding woodland. Also inspirational are trips to Salcombe area of Devon,
Hanson responds with drawings after 7 hour car journeys of the hilly landscape. Miniature
moss gardens and paintings often appear (and sometimes win!) in local village shows. A
neighbour, Hettie Lonsdale's love of art and an art teacher friend of his mothers, Rita
Whisker also encourage his development. c.1980: Music teacher encourages him to join
local church choir (St.Edmund's, Roundhay) where he sings treble until his voice breaks a
couple of years later. Starts to make first structured photographs with Kodak instamatic and
polaroid cameras.1982- 85: Leaves Moorlands with `senior` art prize. Goes to St. Peter's
School (York) where he is interested to find out Guy Fawkes once went there, so is not
allowed to burn effigy on bonfire. Gets into trouble for showing off a picture book called
"Art Since Pop" bought with pocket money (`probably because of its edgy nude
action photos`). Given key to art block at weekends and experiments in various media and
formats, including polaroid `blow-ups` and collage based `cut-outs` pictures. Other
photographic work made in local environment (inner city Leeds and West Yorkshire
suburbia) and further afield (such as landscape layouts at Bramham Park, Harewood House
and Castle Howard), building `journey and found object` photo-notebooks. Researches
image and architectural projects at York and Leeds city art galleries, libraries collections,
beyond and elsewhere.1985-88. Starts at Park Lane F.E. College (Leeds) studying fine art
and drama. Wins a placement with the National Youth Theatre, attends courses in London.
Makes BIRD'S NEST ON WINDOW LEDGE (1986) and other related photographs before
leaving home and moving to central Leeds, sharing houses with college friends. Holds
happenings in basement of a shared property in Harehills district. Performs in several public
productions with Leeds University Theatre Workshop. Designs production posters and makes
photo-folios of performers and `street action pictures`. Photo-montages (BRIDGE WITH
SWIMMING POOL) appear in group show at Leeds City Art Gallery. Makes BOY WITH GUN
(b/w print and photo-copy billstickers) during royal visit to art gallery. Photographs inner city
Leeds and surrounding locations, folio exploring urban open spaces, derelict buildings and
streets and hybrid wastelands. Spends summers visiting London galleries, exhibitions and
events. 1989: (Jan) Moves permenantly down to London on a National Express coach with
"one suitcase. a notebook and a tripod". Initially staying with various friends
throughout town. Travels by car with a friend across Europe (PAN EURO photo-notebook).
Records interiors and the grounds at the old Sitwell residence Montegufoni near Florence. In
London present at various rave events. Later in the year documents the collapse of the
Berlin Wall, including series LANDSCAPE IN SERIAL SHADOW made from window of the plane
approaching Berlin, alongside folio of other images made during historic moment. Lives in
Earls Court, London for a brief "surreal-reel-real" period.1990- 91: First pictures
published, in i-D magazine (Jan.`91 issue / under sometime credit Alex Sparks) of revellers
at the Clink Museum in Southwark. First solo exhibition held at Soho Brasserie Space of
large b/w portrait prints (BERLIN 1989 FOLIO & B/W PROFILES). Makes THE PICNIC
group of pictures in collaboration with Ian `Bunty` Thompson. Conceptual 35mm projection
work is produced and variously displayed, derived from imagery shot in Berlin, across
Europe and London. 92: Moves to Fitrovia area of central London, where his tiny flat fast
becomes a studio and ideas centre (simon's playpen). Makes series based on the
individual's urban existence. Documents HIV/AIDS awareness marches for various concerns.
Begins collaboration with Honolulu, recording texts and songs based on `photo memories`.
Appears in a French TV commercial (as a catwalk photographer) for a hair care product.
Starts NEW DISCO PORTRAITS series, making unique and small edition picturebooks with
photo-text. The series is made mainly with disposable cameras, often bought by the dozen
late at night from Joe's Basement in Wardour Street. Also uses a tungsten/daylight studio
in Camberwell for various group and solo portrait based sessions. Exhibits print and poster
work in a variety of venues, mainly in shops, bars and project spaces across Soho.
Theatrical portraits created for Broadway and West End impressario Mark Bramble and his
production team.1994- 95: Makes photographs of action and audience at cultural icon Leigh
Bowery's legendary last show. The event sees a coming together of various `movers n'
shakers` at a time when London is witnessing the brit-art/pop explosion. Documents and
appears in the award winning `brit-flick` short A Smashing Night Out (dir: Matthew Glamorre
/ BBC 10x10). Makes PINK SHEILA for the photo-notebook series. Photo work appears in
various style, music, scene and listings magazines and periodicals. Series includes an
infamous portrait of Alexander McQueen (LEE & JIMMY) on the verge of fame. Work
shown in retrospective group show for Bowery at the Fine Art Society, New Bond St (London).
After a time in Notting Hill, moves to Kentish Town, turning garden flat into `inside/outside`
studio/gallery (Willes Road Shows).1996- 97: Begins development of `photo-concept
characters` in print, notebook and mixed media formats. TOWARDS THE SHANGRI-LA
COMPOUND sees new works on paper (felt pen and pencil drawings and other works)
alongside related photographic material. I'M GOING ATOLL CRAZY (drawings,notebooks)
and later COUNTRY TRAMP GOES TO TOWN (plaster wall drawings,objects,photographs) are
thematic concepts made in response to life in the city and countryside, and other desires.
Photo work continues to be shown in various venues and project spaces. His Country Tramp
Goes To Town project series gradually formulates into various format works. Makes FLAG
POLE (SUMMER 1997), in response and public reaction to death of Diana. Starts a whimsical
documentation of London's parkland, open spaces and nature tracks. Presents first SUSAN
TRIPOD/MISSY ISLAND mixed media work and actions (Willes Road Shows and
elsewhere).1998- 99: Two large format international picturebooks appear containing
Hanson's work. Leigh Bowery (Violette Editions) sees the last show pictures, prompting
publisher Robert Violette to call it; "a crucial, defining moment of the nineties".
In We Love You (Booth Clibborn) he contributes images of sometime collaborator Richard
Torry's living/work space (including INTERIOR WITH FRIDGE) made especially for the
publication (books with credit Alex Mark Hanson called Simon). The work is shown alongside
more established art world figures, such as Gilbert & George, Marc Quinn and Tracey
Emin. Performs action with SUSAN TRIPOD at Lux centre, Hoxton and My Higher Psychic
Master Hello at Andrew Logan's Alternative Miss World, with art / music collective The Offset
and other turns and actions later with The Sound Storm. Also records song for photo-concept
booklet Dalek 16. Moves to larger workshop/living space in West London. Shows drawings of
fantasy map compounds, wayward flight routes and photo-ephemera in Aerial No.2 (Simon's
Playpen) at Vexed Generation, Berwick St. (London). A `maximalistic mixed media
presentation` in a lightbox/dressing room. Records action song REBEL AGAINST THING for
concept character of the same name, which is later performed in various concept guises with
The Paper People and others in events at venues such 93feetEast, Electrowerkz,
London.2000- 01: Spends the millennium moment making and giving away polaroids.
alexcalledsimon projects formed to develop and produce solo and collaborative concept
character work. Creates and publishes PHOTO-CIRCLES series of urban/rural `momentary
images` (under simonsplaypen editions imprint). Mixed media PAPER HATS FOR A
COUNTRY TRAMP which begin to be worn (filmed and photographed) on the heads of people
at various locations around town. Makes series THE PENNY DROPS (PLASTIC THINGS) and
GHOST TRAIN INTERIORS at various English seaside locations, including Brighton, Hastings
and Southend-on-Sea. Begins ongoing series A Walk With..., photo stories made during
thematic time/s spent with one person.2002: (Feb/Mar) On an extended working trip to New
York, Hanson responds to the events of 9/11 with a group of images based around a city
winter turning into spring, including a photo-book short story SUNBURST OVER LIBERTY
ISLAND, alongside charcoal text drawings EMPIRE STATE ALWAYS FUTURE. Archive work
from the last decade's New Disco Portraits series appears in QueerNation, a large group
retrospective of 20th century polysexual nightlife at Elms Lesters Painting Rooms, Flitcroft
Ct. (London).2003: (Summer) Contributes printed multiples ISLAND EYE PATCHES FOR THE
URBANITE for a vending machine project (curated by Yoke & Zoom) at Rice+ Gallery,
Kyojima, Tokyo. In London Hanson documents an experimental film shoot by Wolfgang
Tillmans of performers The Paper People (UNTITLED DOCU / 2003). A night-time balloon
release action EPHEMERA CLOUD (mixed media with photographs) takes place from The
Tattershall Castle (for Kash Point), a boat moored opposite the London Eye which during
World War 2 was used as a tether-ship for barrage balloons. (Winter): A photo-montage
wall-object SIMON DEAREST...(THEM BUFF) is exhibited in a group show (Featuring...) in
reply to the Centre of Attention curators at Century Gallery, Shoreditch (London).2004: Finds
locations for concept character MISSY ISLAND (GOES HOME) photo series in Greek Islands
(Cyclades), includes RINGS SULPHUR and other works, an image `flyer`of Missy Island is
photographed in various locations and situations throughout the islands chain. Continues
documentation of POMPOCALI, a roman earthworks and surrounding evolving environment
(BARDSEY VILLAGE folio) near his childhood home in Yorkshire. Makes ENGLISH WISTERIA
group of tourist related pictures in London, alongside other new work developments and
displays.2005: (Spring) Commences large scale photo-book project BONJOUR MR.
BLACKBIRD. A series of photographs celebrating springtime in London and the birds that
find bold and optimistic places to raise their young against a backdrop of the city. Selected
works from this project are donated to the Beijing Natural Culture Center Archive, China.
(Summer) a site specific/interactive work for Missy Island concept character, THIS IS FETE is
held in a garden (Cathy Hutton / London), a take on the British Summer Fete tradition. In
Yorkshire he photographs the giant Emley Moor transmitter and other communication
installations. (Nov) Photographic collaboration with Pains Fireworks (COSMOS CONTACT 400)
documenting a large scale pyrotechnic set-up, installation and display over St. Paul's
Cathedral and Tate Modern (for the 400th anniversary of Guy Fawke's gunpowder plot). A
new group of series, including Aeroplane Aeroplane - a folio of images, including tracing
kerosene and water vapour tracks across the sky and foreground
(simonsplaypen-editions).2006: Continuation of Bonjour Mr. Blackbird project and related
series `off shoot`. Shows work (from English Wisteria photo story - 2004) in a European
touring group show 24London (various venues: Berlin, Milan & Barcelona). Other work
includes new documentary and concept photo-series and photo-portraits connected with a
variety of urban lifestyle stories and environmental issues, amongst other new work for
print, show and presentation, including HOTEL WITH FOUNTAIN group of photo works, based
on architecture publications and disaster movies.2007: New mixed / multi media work for
alexcalledsimon projects (Missy Island, Country Tramp, Susan Tripod) . Moves to new living
& work space in central London. Begins new photo series of portraits and live
performance and related photographs, including large scale study of David Hoyle (including
THIS IS DAVID HOYLE photo stories, London 2007/08) and docu photo stories of performers
and artists Patrick Wolf, Richard (LaRue), Susanne Oberbeck (No Bra), Jay Cloth, Kenneth
Anger, Scottee, Bishi, Bruce LaBruce and others in STORIES FROM THE NIGHT series. Archive
work shown in group photo project show What Haunts You? at The Photographer's Gallery,
London (Oct 07 - Jan 08).2008: Continuation of alexcalledsimon projects mix / multi media
work, especially Susan Tripod project. Short film made HELLO SUSAN? (WHERE IS SUSAN? /
4mins 31s), first screening at Heaven, London. Various performances including SUSAN'S
BIG JUMP, at Maggot (held in Wolfgang Tillmans' store cupboard space, London). Ongoing
photo series includes work made of David Hoyle's performances. A site specific photo
installation work, PATRICK (RETURNS), based on archive and recent photographs by Alex of
singer Patrick Wolf, shown at Residence Gallery, London, part of Hackney Wicked Art
Festival 08. Also, in same show a mixed media paper work, PAPER JEWELS, from ongoing
series. Performance related photo work published in Dance Theatre Journal (UK) and
Gazelland (USA).2009: including: (mar 21; for 1.5 months) group show, at t.a.g. galleries,
Brussels. photo installation, A VISIT FROM SUSAN TRIPOD.Susan Tripod image published in
Gazelland magazine (NYC, USA). Photo blog pop ups from series about performer David
Hoyle displayed at Donlon Books, London (09-10). Studies at the University of the Arts,
London, alongside his practice (research and study program 2009 - 2010). Autumn 2010
onwards begins studies for studio based BA (Hons) in Fine Art, inc new research and work.
_____________________
(name, credits & monikers: A.M.Hanson / Alexander Mark Hanson / Mark Hanson /
Alex Sparks / Alex Mark Hanson called Simon / simonsplaypen / alex called simon /
alexcalledsimon projects) _________________________________________
Adopted and raised in Bardsey, West Yorkshire; semi-rural suburbia of motorways, ancient
earthworks, and haystacks. 1970- 1974: Earliest memories are formed of flying away from a
rainy Luton with the `cheap n' colourful` Court Line to the Med. At nursery school (Bardsey
Village) Hanson soon resources the dressing up box and starts singing to the other kids.
Becomes avid collector of Ladybird books. Various early `creative visits` made to his
mother's (A.A. Hanson) Leeds pottery shared studio.1976 - : Leaves Bardsey Primary and
starts at Moorlands School (nr.Leeds). The Victorian building was once used in the opening
credits of the Hammer House of Horror TV series and Hanson is inspired by the quirky
layout and surrounding woodland. Also inspirational are trips to Salcombe area of Devon,
Hanson responds with drawings after 7 hour car journeys of the hilly landscape. Miniature
moss gardens and paintings often appear (and sometimes win!) in local village shows. A
neighbour, Hettie Lonsdale's love of art and an art teacher friend of his mothers, Rita
Whisker also encourage his development. c.1980: Music teacher encourages him to join
local church choir (St.Edmund's, Roundhay) where he sings treble until his voice breaks a
couple of years later. Starts to make first structured photographs with Kodak instamatic and
polaroid cameras.1982- 85: Leaves Moorlands with `senior` art prize. Goes to St. Peter's
School (York) where he is interested to find out Guy Fawkes once went there, so is not
allowed to burn effigy on bonfire. Gets into trouble for showing off a picture book called
"Art Since Pop" bought with pocket money (`probably because of its edgy nude
action photos`). Given key to art block at weekends and experiments in various media and
formats, including polaroid `blow-ups` and collage based `cut-outs` pictures. Other
photographic work made in local environment (inner city Leeds and West Yorkshire
suburbia) and further afield (such as landscape layouts at Bramham Park, Harewood House
and Castle Howard), building `journey and found object` photo-notebooks. Researches
image and architectural projects at York and Leeds city art galleries, libraries collections,
beyond and elsewhere.1985-88. Starts at Park Lane F.E. College (Leeds) studying fine art
and drama. Wins a placement with the National Youth Theatre, attends courses in London.
Makes BIRD'S NEST ON WINDOW LEDGE (1986) and other related photographs before
leaving home and moving to central Leeds, sharing houses with college friends. Holds
happenings in basement of a shared property in Harehills district. Performs in several public
productions with Leeds University Theatre Workshop. Designs production posters and makes
photo-folios of performers and `street action pictures`. Photo-montages (BRIDGE WITH
SWIMMING POOL) appear in group show at Leeds City Art Gallery. Makes BOY WITH GUN
(b/w print and photo-copy billstickers) during royal visit to art gallery. Photographs inner city
Leeds and surrounding locations, folio exploring urban open spaces, derelict buildings and
streets and hybrid wastelands. Spends summers visiting London galleries, exhibitions and
events. 1989: (Jan) Moves permenantly down to London on a National Express coach with
"one suitcase. a notebook and a tripod". Initially staying with various friends
throughout town. Travels by car with a friend across Europe (PAN EURO photo-notebook).
Records interiors and the grounds at the old Sitwell residence Montegufoni near Florence. In
London present at various rave events. Later in the year documents the collapse of the
Berlin Wall, including series LANDSCAPE IN SERIAL SHADOW made from window of the plane
approaching Berlin, alongside folio of other images made during historic moment. Lives in
Earls Court, London for a brief "surreal-reel-real" period.1990- 91: First pictures
published, in i-D magazine (Jan.`91 issue / under sometime credit Alex Sparks) of revellers
at the Clink Museum in Southwark. First solo exhibition held at Soho Brasserie Space of
large b/w portrait prints (BERLIN 1989 FOLIO & B/W PROFILES). Makes THE PICNIC
group of pictures in collaboration with Ian `Bunty` Thompson. Conceptual 35mm projection
work is produced and variously displayed, derived from imagery shot in Berlin, across
Europe and London. 92: Moves to Fitrovia area of central London, where his tiny flat fast
becomes a studio and ideas centre (simon's playpen). Makes series based on the
individual's urban existence. Documents HIV/AIDS awareness marches for various concerns.
Begins collaboration with Honolulu, recording texts and songs based on `photo memories`.
Appears in a French TV commercial (as a catwalk photographer) for a hair care product.
Starts NEW DISCO PORTRAITS series, making unique and small edition picturebooks with
photo-text. The series is made mainly with disposable cameras, often bought by the dozen
late at night from Joe's Basement in Wardour Street. Also uses a tungsten/daylight studio
in Camberwell for various group and solo portrait based sessions. Exhibits print and poster
work in a variety of venues, mainly in shops, bars and project spaces across Soho.
Theatrical portraits created for Broadway and West End impressario Mark Bramble and his
production team.1994- 95: Makes photographs of action and audience at cultural icon Leigh
Bowery's legendary last show. The event sees a coming together of various `movers n'
shakers` at a time when London is witnessing the brit-art/pop explosion. Documents and
appears in the award winning `brit-flick` short A Smashing Night Out (dir: Matthew Glamorre
/ BBC 10x10). Makes PINK SHEILA for the photo-notebook series. Photo work appears in
various style, music, scene and listings magazines and periodicals. Series includes an
infamous portrait of Alexander McQueen (LEE & JIMMY) on the verge of fame. Work
shown in retrospective group show for Bowery at the Fine Art Society, New Bond St (London).
After a time in Notting Hill, moves to Kentish Town, turning garden flat into `inside/outside`
studio/gallery (Willes Road Shows).1996- 97: Begins development of `photo-concept
characters` in print, notebook and mixed media formats. TOWARDS THE SHANGRI-LA
COMPOUND sees new works on paper (felt pen and pencil drawings and other works)
alongside related photographic material. I'M GOING ATOLL CRAZY (drawings,notebooks)
and later COUNTRY TRAMP GOES TO TOWN (plaster wall drawings,objects,photographs) are
thematic concepts made in response to life in the city and countryside, and other desires.
Photo work continues to be shown in various venues and project spaces. His Country Tramp
Goes To Town project series gradually formulates into various format works. Makes FLAG
POLE (SUMMER 1997), in response and public reaction to death of Diana. Starts a whimsical
documentation of London's parkland, open spaces and nature tracks. Presents first SUSAN
TRIPOD/MISSY ISLAND mixed media work and actions (Willes Road Shows and
elsewhere).1998- 99: Two large format international picturebooks appear containing
Hanson's work. Leigh Bowery (Violette Editions) sees the last show pictures, prompting
publisher Robert Violette to call it; "a crucial, defining moment of the nineties".
In We Love You (Booth Clibborn) he contributes images of sometime collaborator Richard
Torry's living/work space (including INTERIOR WITH FRIDGE) made especially for the
publication (books with credit Alex Mark Hanson called Simon). The work is shown alongside
more established art world figures, such as Gilbert & George, Marc Quinn and Tracey
Emin. Performs action with SUSAN TRIPOD at Lux centre, Hoxton and My Higher Psychic
Master Hello at Andrew Logan's Alternative Miss World, with art / music collective The Offset
and other turns and actions later with The Sound Storm. Also records song for photo-concept
booklet Dalek 16. Moves to larger workshop/living space in West London. Shows drawings of
fantasy map compounds, wayward flight routes and photo-ephemera in Aerial No.2 (Simon's
Playpen) at Vexed Generation, Berwick St. (London). A `maximalistic mixed media
presentation` in a lightbox/dressing room. Records action song REBEL AGAINST THING for
concept character of the same name, which is later performed in various concept guises with
The Paper People and others in events at venues such 93feetEast, Electrowerkz,
London.2000- 01: Spends the millennium moment making and giving away polaroids.
alexcalledsimon projects formed to develop and produce solo and collaborative concept
character work. Creates and publishes PHOTO-CIRCLES series of urban/rural `momentary
images` (under simonsplaypen editions imprint). Mixed media PAPER HATS FOR A
COUNTRY TRAMP which begin to be worn (filmed and photographed) on the heads of people
at various locations around town. Makes series THE PENNY DROPS (PLASTIC THINGS) and
GHOST TRAIN INTERIORS at various English seaside locations, including Brighton, Hastings
and Southend-on-Sea. Begins ongoing series A Walk With..., photo stories made during
thematic time/s spent with one person.2002: (Feb/Mar) On an extended working trip to New
York, Hanson responds to the events of 9/11 with a group of images based around a city
winter turning into spring, including a photo-book short story SUNBURST OVER LIBERTY
ISLAND, alongside charcoal text drawings EMPIRE STATE ALWAYS FUTURE. Archive work
from the last decade's New Disco Portraits series appears in QueerNation, a large group
retrospective of 20th century polysexual nightlife at Elms Lesters Painting Rooms, Flitcroft
Ct. (London).2003: (Summer) Contributes printed multiples ISLAND EYE PATCHES FOR THE
URBANITE for a vending machine project (curated by Yoke & Zoom) at Rice+ Gallery,
Kyojima, Tokyo. In London Hanson documents an experimental film shoot by Wolfgang
Tillmans of performers The Paper People (UNTITLED DOCU / 2003). A night-time balloon
release action EPHEMERA CLOUD (mixed media with photographs) takes place from The
Tattershall Castle (for Kash Point), a boat moored opposite the London Eye which during
World War 2 was used as a tether-ship for barrage balloons. (Winter): A photo-montage
wall-object SIMON DEAREST...(THEM BUFF) is exhibited in a group show (Featuring...) in
reply to the Centre of Attention curators at Century Gallery, Shoreditch (London).2004: Finds
locations for concept character MISSY ISLAND (GOES HOME) photo series in Greek Islands
(Cyclades), includes RINGS SULPHUR and other works, an image `flyer`of Missy Island is
photographed in various locations and situations throughout the islands chain. Continues
documentation of POMPOCALI, a roman earthworks and surrounding evolving environment
(BARDSEY VILLAGE folio) near his childhood home in Yorkshire. Makes ENGLISH WISTERIA
group of tourist related pictures in London, alongside other new work developments and
displays.2005: (Spring) Commences large scale photo-book project BONJOUR MR.
BLACKBIRD. A series of photographs celebrating springtime in London and the birds that
find bold and optimistic places to raise their young against a backdrop of the city. Selected
works from this project are donated to the Beijing Natural Culture Center Archive, China.
(Summer) a site specific/interactive work for Missy Island concept character, THIS IS FETE is
held in a garden (Cathy Hutton / London), a take on the British Summer Fete tradition. In
Yorkshire he photographs the giant Emley Moor transmitter and other communication
installations. (Nov) Photographic collaboration with Pains Fireworks (COSMOS CONTACT 400)
documenting a large scale pyrotechnic set-up, installation and display over St. Paul's
Cathedral and Tate Modern (for the 400th anniversary of Guy Fawke's gunpowder plot). A
new group of series, including Aeroplane Aeroplane - a folio of images, including tracing
kerosene and water vapour tracks across the sky and foreground
(simonsplaypen-editions).2006: Continuation of Bonjour Mr. Blackbird project and related
series `off shoot`. Shows work (from English Wisteria photo story - 2004) in a European
touring group show 24London (various venues: Berlin, Milan & Barcelona). Other work
includes new documentary and concept photo-series and photo-portraits connected with a
variety of urban lifestyle stories and environmental issues, amongst other new work for
print, show and presentation, including HOTEL WITH FOUNTAIN group of photo works, based
on architecture publications and disaster movies.2007: New mixed / multi media work for
alexcalledsimon projects (Missy Island, Country Tramp, Susan Tripod) . Moves to new living
& work space in central London. Begins new photo series of portraits and live
performance and related photographs, including large scale study of David Hoyle (including
THIS IS DAVID HOYLE photo stories, London 2007/08) and docu photo stories of performers
and artists Patrick Wolf, Richard (LaRue), Susanne Oberbeck (No Bra), Jay Cloth, Kenneth
Anger, Scottee, Bishi, Bruce LaBruce and others in STORIES FROM THE NIGHT series. Archive
work shown in group photo project show What Haunts You? at The Photographer's Gallery,
London (Oct 07 - Jan 08).2008: Continuation of alexcalledsimon projects mix / multi media
work, especially Susan Tripod project. Short film made HELLO SUSAN? (WHERE IS SUSAN? /
4mins 31s), first screening at Heaven, London. Various performances including SUSAN'S
BIG JUMP, at Maggot (held in Wolfgang Tillmans' store cupboard space, London). Ongoing
photo series includes work made of David Hoyle's performances. A site specific photo
installation work, PATRICK (RETURNS), based on archive and recent photographs by Alex of
singer Patrick Wolf, shown at Residence Gallery, London, part of Hackney Wicked Art
Festival 08. Also, in same show a mixed media paper work, PAPER JEWELS, from ongoing
series. Performance related photo work published in Dance Theatre Journal (UK) and
Gazelland (USA).2009: including: (mar 21; for 1.5 months) group show, at t.a.g. galleries,
Brussels. photo installation, A VISIT FROM SUSAN TRIPOD.Susan Tripod image published in
Gazelland magazine (NYC, USA). Photo blog pop ups from series about performer David
Hoyle displayed at Donlon Books, London (09-10). Studies at the University of the Arts,
London, alongside his practice (research and study program 2009 - 2010). Autumn 2010
onwards begins studies for studio based BA (Hons) in Fine Art, inc new research and work.
_____________________
(name, credits & monikers: A.M.Hanson / Alexander Mark Hanson / Mark Hanson /
Alex Sparks / Alex Mark Hanson called Simon / simonsplaypen / alex called simon /
alexcalledsimon projects) _________________________________________
