Self Portrait 2024

沈乐
Mattie Kim Shen Le Hanson

Born in Nanjing, China, adopted and brought to Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The beginning of Hanson’s studies into creation started from a young age but their academic studies started at the San Francisco Art Institute and ended with a BFA in Photography at the University of Colorado Denver. In 2016 Hanson moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and was introduced to a new form of creation, event and museum fabrication by way of carpentry. This expanded Hanson’s conceptual practice into a multi medium form of creating in materials and methods.

Hanson’s work explores the themes such as the navigation of identity through intersectionality under the experiences of longing, connection and desirability. The multiple labels socially assigned and personally claimed to give myself a placement are what drives the conceptual focuses to my work.

 

  • 2015 — Bachelor of Fine Arts, Emphasis in Photography, University of Colorado Denver

    • 2025 For What it’s Worth, 2024 in collaboration with Giani Jones. Go West Exhibition curated by Stella Winchester, guest jurors Gallerist, Rajiv Menon and Art Advisor, Roseline Michael Neveling, The Dairy Arts Center, Boulder, Colorado

    • 2025 Offerings, 2024. Birthrite Exhibition curated by Kennedy Sarrazin, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, New Orleans, LA

    • 2024 Seeding Power, 2023 Southern Hospitality: Community Spirit group photography exhibition curated by Stefan “Pro$per” Henry, Art Above the Law, Photo NOLA week, Ashé Cultural Arts Center, New Orleans, LA

    • 2016    Women: The Unseen, On Edge, Edge Gallery, Denver,  CO 2016

    • 2015    Women: The Unseen, University of Colorado Denver BFA Thesis Exhibition, RedLine, Denver, CO 2015

    • 2015    16x16x16 Photography Exhibit (traveling exhibition) University of Colorado Denver 16x16x16 — University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Kansas-Lawrence,          Metropolitan Community College

    • 2012 Kaleidoscopic, Abby Hall Gallery, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, California

    • 2010 to Present Shen Le Studio, Colorado Springs, CO and New Orleans, LA Self-Employed Photographer, woodworker, fabricator, design and installation

    • April-May 2025 Jazz Fest Culture and Heritage Festival Congo Square Booths for Compton III (Most Unique Booth Award), Jamal Barnes (Best Display Booth) and Ceaux (Best Display Booth) Designed, Fabricated and Installed in partnership with Giani Jones of New Negroes

    • Feb. 2025 Freeman Revival Sunday Mornings by LAW curated by Brooke E. Wyatt TGTC- Exhibit Installation

    • Jan. 2025 All Hands In curated by Compton III at The Barnett Hotel- Fabricated the artists cases and installed the exhibit

    • Dec. 2024 Southern Hospitality: Community Spirit group photography exhibition curated by Stefan “Pro$per” Henry, Art above the law, Photo NOLA week, Ashé CAC- Installation

    • Nov.-Dec. 2024 Beyond the Waters group artist exhibition curated by Brooke Wyatt of TGTC- installation and event gallery attendant

    • 2024 CHROMA by artist Ceaux curated by Brooke Wyatt of TGTC- Built pedestals

    • 2023 A visit to, A visit from exhibit by artist Giani Jones curated by Brooke Wyatt of TGTC- installation assistant

    • 2014     Cayton Photography, Colorado Springs, Colorado -Intern: Lighting Assistant

    • 2012     Colorado Springs Independent Newspaper, Colorado Springs, Colorado
      Digital Media Intern: photographer, videographer, media covers, photojournalist

    • 2012      San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, California, coursework in photography

    • 2025 Boulder Weekly, Reframing the frontier by Toni Tresca, feature image Boulder, CO

    • 2012 Colorado Springs Independent Newspaper, June and July Issues, Colorado Springs, CO

    • 2011 Photographers Forum, Annual College Photography Contest, Serbin Communications, Santa Barbara, CA