This baton twirler sculpture by artist Duane Hanson (1925-1996) fetched $182,500 at a Sothebys auction in 2011. Hanson, who was famous for creating life-sized, realistic scultpures of people, created Baton Twirler in 1971.

Baton Twirler Sculpture Details

The sculpture is made out of polyester resin and fiberglass and polychromed in oil and mixed media. It is 88 1/2 x 36 x 40. The style of art is hyper-realism or photorealism.

The twirler is owned by the Van de Weghe Gallery in New York City. Prior to them acquiring the unique piece, it was exhibited at several museums across the United States including the Edwin A. Ulruch Museum in Wichita, Kansas; the University of Nebraska Art Galleries, Lincoln; Des Monies Art Center; Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center; Corcoran Gallery of Art Gallery, Washington D.C. In 2021, it was on display at the international art show Art Basel, in Basel, Switzerland.

Who Was Duane Hanson?

Hanson was born in Minnesota but spent most of his career in South Florida. According to the Art Story, he cast his sculptures from live models, many of whom were family members of friends. Later, he dressed them in the desired uniform or outfit. Sometimes, people tried to interact with the sculptures because they thought they were real people.

Hanson was not trying to trick his audience into thinking his figures were somehow real. His intention was rather to illicit a sense of connectivity between these everyday American “types” and the people who came to view them. Some critics, however, read his pieces as satire because there was a humorous quality to be had by (dis)placing his figures in surroundings (the gallery) that were unfamiliar to them. 

Art Story

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