Bret Hanson

I [Bret Hanson] was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, and raised in a religious home. Both the physical and spiritual landscapes of my youth have an impact on my work. Stars in the night sky, flat farmland, and the Rocky Mountains nearby all helped shape the way I interpret my surroundings. I was fascinated with space and flight and wanted to be a pilot and transcend this world. There has always been a strong sense of striving to return to God’s presence and navigate through the trials of this life to achieve eternal life. Religious symbolism plays a prominent role in my thought process as a Mormon artist. I received a BFA in fine arts (printmaking) from Utah State University in 2004 and an MFA in fine arts (printmaking) from the University of New Mexico in 2008.