Brian Hanlon

rdf:langString Brian Hanlon

rdf:langString Brian Hanlon is a classically-trained master sculptor and founder of Hanlon Sculpture Studio. He has created over 400 public and private art pieces since 1987. Hanlon is a nationally acclaimed artist from Toms River, New Jersey, specializing in commissioned larger-than-life-size, to-scale bronze sculptures, reliefs, trophies, plaques and awards. He is known for developing a distinguishable style of movement in contemporary American realism sculpture. In 2015, Hanlon was named the Official Sculptor of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2018 Hanlon was named the Official Sculptor of the Rose Bowl Stadium. Hanlon has received national and local awards and commendations for his commissions, which primarily encompass the civic, historic and athletic sectors. On January 16, 2018, Hanlon was named the "Sports Rodin," a reference to French sculptor Auguste Rodin, in the feature story "Sports Rodin Works in Bronze" by The New York Times. In 2018, the Smithsonian American Art Museum began including Hanlon's monuments in its catalogue of contemporary American sculptors. He has been the subject of several news features, as well as a short documentary about his work that was created by Brad Nau and shown on Comcast SportsNet. 2017 was the "busiest year" in Hanlon's decades-long professional career. Hanlon oversaw the unveiling of 30 new monuments, including Charles Barkley at Auburn, Evander Holyfield in Atlanta, Jackie Robinson as a football player at the Rose Bowl, and 12 Hoosier Icons in the lobby of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. In July 2021, Gabe Albornoz, Montgomery County Council Vice President, announced that Hanlon would be sculpting a new piece in honor of Olympic gymnastic legend, Dominique Dawes. Hanlon uses water-based clay rather than oil-based clay because he finds it to be "firmer and less pliable," which enables him to convey movement or action in his sculptures. His commissions typically take six to 36 months to complete, based on size and scope.