We saw David Hanes’ exhibition at Mott Projects on Instagram and really wanted to know more – so we asked and here are the answers 🙂
hi David can you give a brief intro to you & your art practice for the FAD crowd
Hi there! I’m David Hanes, a Berlin-based artist with Canadian and American roots. My work primarily consists of oil paintings inspired by my travels around the world. I begin with plein-air sketches that capture the immediate impressions of landscapes, flora, fauna, and architecture, then transform these sketches into expressive oil paintings and watercolors in my studio. These days, my studio is wherever I’m traveling for projects and residencies since my practice is currently nomadic. My art explores the phenomenological experience of reality and the connection between nature, memory, and human experience, blending traditional techniques with a contemporary perspective.
Can you tell us about your recent exhibition at Mott Projects
My recent exhibition at Mott Projects, titled ‘Hold On,’ showcased a series of new paintings inspired by my travels over the past year to places like Italy, Luxembourg, Iceland and Canada. As previously stated, each painting begins with plein-air sketches I refer to as ‘Momentaufnahme’ (snapshots), capturing my immediate experience of the landscapes and architecture. These sketches are then transformed into the paintings shown, created during residencies such as Farmlands Residency and the LungA School.
The exhibition included both large-scale canvases and smaller works,. The large-scale paintings capture the grandeur and emotional impact of the landscapes, while the smaller works offer intimate moments and details. Together, they provide viewers with proximity to the ‘verité’ of nature scenes and personal moments I encountered. ‘Hold On’ invites exploration of themes such as home, belonging, escape, and the mystical experience of existing in a vibrant world, blending my immediate impressions with deeper reflections.
Why was it called Hold On?
The exhibition title ‘Hold On’ reflects my desire to grasp and preserve fleeting moments from my travels—whether serene or energetic scenes from the day, night, or twilight. Each painting represents a culmination of these temporal snapshots, inviting viewers to pause and reflect, echoing the spiritual essence I find in painting. It also extends themes explored in my previous show with Mott Projects, ‘Still Alive,’ but instead shifts the focus to perseverance and the sacrifice that I see as integral to the landscape painting tradition. A personal journey I relate to, akin to the commitment required in overcoming addiction. Through painting, I engage in a transformative alchemy, translating ephemeral experiences into vibrant emotional landscapes on canvas. I use this exploration of temporality as encouragement to contemplate life’s impermanence and the profound emotional resonance found in fleeting moments.
How was it working with Mott Projects how did you meet them?
Working with Mott Projects has been one of the best and most professional experiences I’ve had in the art world. Erik Sommer, who runs Mott, is one of the hardest-working and most sincere people I’ve met. I deeply care about him and am incredibly grateful for his trust and faith in me and my work over the last two years. From day one, Erik and I formed a familiar relationship that has grown over the years. I consider him not only a colleague and peer but also a friend.
Erik and I first met online, admiring each other’s art from afar. At the time, I was still engaging with my older practice, which was more minimal, sculptural, and conceptual. Erik took a risk by providing me with the space and platform to present my new work and the creative transformation I underwent between 2018-2022. Both my first show with Mott, ‘Still Alive,’ and now ‘Hold On’ reflect that commitment to change and growth, as well as the enduring collaboration and exchange between Erik and myself.
You have something coming up with David Zwirner’s Platform can you tell us about it
I was selected by David Zwirner’s Platform team last year, with confirmation of the feature this past June. I will be featured in their October release, which will be presented through Mott Projects alongside fellow artist Nils Jendri. For this feature, I’m presenting three paintings that incorporate the house motif I started to explore in my recent show at Mott Projects. This motif symbolizes themes of home and belonging, which are central to my work. This opportunity is incredibly exciting and a complete honor. Having my work and name alongside peers, but also heroes such as Albers, Baldessari, Peyton, Doig, Rauschenberg, Emin, Whitney, Johns, and many others, is truly humbling. I cannot begin to express how thrilled I am to be part of this esteemed group.
What’s happening next?
So, I’ve been on the road since last fall, but I’ll be heading back to Berlin by September. Currently, I’m finishing up a residency in Montreal at the new Pas Mal Residency. After which in August, I’ll also be part of a group show in Amsterdam organized by Japan-based publishers Ugoku Estudio at De Bouwput, featuring artists for whom they’ve recently produced catalogs. Once I return to Europe, I plan to rest in the countryside, likely going offline until October. At this time, the David Zwirner Platform feature comes online. Then, this winter, I’ll be part of a group show at Annika Nuttall Gallery in Aarhus, Denmark. I will also be the winter artist-in-residence at the new Nightworks residency organized by Lee Colwill in Berlin. It’s a busy schedule, but I’m looking forward to all these opportunities.
What’s your favorite music & art at the moment?
Music has always been a big part of my life; my parents actually raised me to be a musician, but I ended up painting. I see a lot of crossover between painting and music and often identify with van Gogh’s desire to make paintings that are as comforting as music. Lately, I’ve been progressively getting more hooked on country music, and Sturgill Simpson’s 2013 record ‘High Top Mountain’ is on repeat for me. My go-to karaoke song is ‘Amarillo by Morning’ by George Strait. I also love disco, with ‘Take Me to the Bridge’ by Vera being a big track for me since last year. For club tracks, I’m into ‘My Noise is Nothing’ by Lord of The Isles, ‘Self to Blame’ by Logic1000, ‘Slow Car’ by Richie Culver, and the JASS remix of ‘To the God Named Dream.’
Here’s a couple of recent Spotify playlists I’ve made:
1: The Way You Smile: LINK
2: Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood: LINK
In terms of art, besides the names mentioned in the Zwirner/Platform list, I admire a mixed bag of living artists like Sky Glabush, Maja Ruznic, Alicia Adamerovich, Delphine Hennelly, Colin Brant, Claire Tabouret, Deborah Brown, Tal R, Laurie Nye, Erica Mao, Billy Childish, Lois Dodd, and Alex Katz. My list of favorite historical artists is endless. Still, I am always looking at the works of Gauguin, Cézanne, Bonnard, Munch, Morandi, Kirchner, Pechstein, Kandinsky, Thomson, Milne, Matisse, Nash, Dove, Diebenkorn, O’Keeffe, Seurat, and of course, van Gogh.
