Ian Hansen

Select Works Archive

Ian Hansen

Born in Bordertown SA 1948, Ian's childhood years were spent on the foreshore of Hervey Bay. It was here that his deep love of ships and the sea developed. By the age of 8 he was actively painting with water colours moving to oils when he was 11. Joining the Royal Australian Navy at 15 as an apprentice shipwright, he served 12 years reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He saw active service in Vietnam 1967-68. Ian painted continually in off duty hours, recording the ships and scenes he observed during his travels. After a brief stint of cruising and painting on board a 38 ft yacht, he built a studio overlooking the Whitsunday Islands, this idealic location was too far from the art world and he returned to Sydney in 1981. Married with 3 children Ian lives in Hunters Hill, Sydney, his studio the converted stables in the rear garden.He regularly sails on his classic 45′ cutter 'Karalee', and crews on board the Barque 'James Craig' on her extended voyages. These trips reinforce Ian's deep understanding of the sea.In 2000 Ian was invited by the Royal Australian Navy to go to East Timor and record the Navy's involvement during the crisis, he spent time on several ships sketching and painting, the resulting paintings now hang in the Navy's Fleet Headquarters. In 2002 Ian joined the Ice Ship 'Sir Hubert Wilkins' on a 5 week voyage to Antarctica.Ian works mainly on commission. In Connecticut USA, the Gallery hosts 'The Annual International Art Exhibition' and since his first acceptance in 1987, Ian has won 6 major awards.In 2002 he was appointed one of the Gallery's 'Premier Artists', only 20 are appointed worldwide. Ian is a member of "Kevin Hills Top 10 Australian Artists" who exhibit their work several times each year.Ian is a Fellow of The Royal Art Society, a Fellow of The Australian Institute of History and Arts and a Fellow of The Australian Society of Marine Artists. His works hang in Government House Sydney, Sydney Stock Exchange, Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney Heritage Fleet, Royal Australian Navy, Naval Historical Society, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Lady Denman Museum, AMP building and many corporate and private collections throughout the World.In 2013, Ian was appointed as the official artist for the International Fleet Review '2013' commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy.ART AWARDS

2015 Hunters Hill Art Exhibition, Hunters Hill Art Prize
2012 International Marine Art Exhibition Award of Excellence
2010 International Marine Art Exhibition Thomas Wells Award
2008 International Marine Art Exhibition Thomas Wells Award
2005 International Marine Art Exhibition. Award of Excellence
2004 International Marine Art Exhibition Thomas Wells Award
2001 Royal Art Society Medal of Distinction
2001 Art Scene Art Awards $10,000 First Prize
1991 ACTA Australian Maritime Art Award Finalist
1989 ACTA Australian Maritime Art Award Popular Choice Winner
1987 International Marine Art Exhibition. Award of Excellence (Held at The Maritime Gallery at Mystic Seaport USA)
1987 ACTA Australian Maritime Art Award Finalist
1986 ACTA Australian Maritime Art Award Finalist
1985 ACTA Australian Maritime Art Award Finalist
1961 Wide Bay & Burnett Exhibition of Arts, ‘ Champion Picture of Exhibition’ 1st, 2nd, & 3rd prize Children’s Sectio