About

Channing Hansen (b. 1972, Los Angeles) is a pioneering contemporary artist whose practice exists at the vibrant intersection of craft, science, and technology. Hansen is widely recognized for his complex, computer-generated hand-knitted 'paintings'—intricate, vibrant assemblages of wool and synthetic fibers stretched over wooden frames that challenge the traditional boundaries of both craft and abstract art. His methodology is deeply algorithmic. Hansen uses computer programs to generate complex mathematical sequences that dictate every aspect of his physical compositions: the selection of stitches, the transitions of color, and the density of the knit. Despite this digital genesis, the execution is intensely physical and handmade. The artist personally washes, dyes, and spins wool from specific breeds of sheep, blending them with state-of-the-art synthetic materials like holographic polymers and conductive fibers. This tension between high-tech algorithmic logic and tactile, raw craft defines his unique oeuvre. Historically aligned with both the legacy of pioneering fiber artists and the systematic rigor of conceptual art, Hansen’s work has been exhibited extensively in institutional settings. His works are housed in permanent collections worldwide, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Hammer Museum, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, and the Henry Art Gallery in Seattle. Hansen continues to live, work, and conduct his material experiments in Hudson, NY.