Episode #182: Speaking from James Cohan Gallery, New York in late 2012, artist Trenton Doyle Hancock describes how his work has evolved over the past ten years. When Art21 first filmed the Houston-based artist in 2002, all of his paintings and drawings were filtered through a fictional narrative and characters he called "Mounds" and "Vegans." Hancock created these stories to give structure to his wide-ranging interests and ideas. The Mounds and Vegans have appeared in numerous exhibitions, a storybook, a mural at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, and even a ballet. It was while watching the ballet that Hancock realized it was time to move on from the tale.

Influenced by the history of painting, especially Abstract Expressionism, Hancock transforms traditionally formal decisions- such as the use of color, language, and pattern- into opportunities to convey narratives.

Learn more about the artist at: http://www.art21.org/artists/trenton-doyle-hancock

CREDITS: Producer: Ian Forster. Consulting Producer: Wesley Miller & Nick Ravich. Interview: Ian Forster. Camera: Ian Forster, Rafael Salazar Moreno, Joel Shapiro & Ava Wiland. Sound: Stephanie Andreou & Ava Wiland. Editor: Morgan Riles. Artwork Courtesy: Trenton Doyle Hancock, Ballet Austin, James Cohan Gallery & Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Archival Images Courtesy: Trenton Doyle Hancock. Photography: Tony Spielberg. Theme Music: Peter Foley.