Hugh Lassen was born in 1976 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He took sculpture classes at the Rhode Island School of Design while studying at Brown University. He learned to carve after seeing a small Native American spear weight carving (also called a “Bird Stone”) in a museum. He continues to be greatly inspired by Ancient and Indigenous Art as well as Modern Art. Often an idea will emerge from a drawing and will provide the beginning for a sculpture. By carving directly in the stone or wood the idea will be refined until, hopefully, it works in the round. He lives with his wife and two children in Cherryfield, Maine.

Artist's Statement
I find that my own sculptural aims revolve around mass, bulk, weight, in a phrase, ponderable form. For many years I've studied the figure using a range of exercises to develop my sense of touch. From these efforts and from my experiences carving, I realize that, despite being an abstract sculptor, my work is founded on human and animal forms.
The subtle, quiet forces that inspire us are perhaps better left unstated but broadly, my aim is to create vital, life-enhancing forms.

Education
Brown University B. A. Degree 1998
Rhode Island School of Design classes in Sculpture while at Brown University
The Sculpture Center, The New School, NY 2001-03
The Art Students League of NY 2003-05
Spring Studio Life Drawing Monitor 2001 - 2005