Meet Rraine Hanson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rraine Hanson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Rraine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story begins in Kingston, Jamaica, a small island that boasts massive heart and culture, where I grew up. I was always creatively inclined; so when I wasn’t writing stories, drawing, or making up dance routines in my own time, I was busy with the after school dance, music and drama lessons that I was afforded with. Still a very soft-spoken kid, I shied away from the spotlight that came with all the performances my parents encouraged me to be part of. Words and images became my preferred choice in medium. It wasn’t until after I moved to the U.S. at sixteen, however, that I began to really explore my love for photography and filmmaking. Luckily, my parents didn’t think I was crazy when I said I wanted to go to film school — despite having no real experience in it prior — and so I delved into the practice at Emerson College where I earned my degree. I’ve been living in Los Angeles ever since, continuing to work behind the scenes of the film/TV world both in the art and wardrobe departments, and sometimes elsewhere decorating various spaces.

Has it been a smooth road?
My parents’ divorce, my big move to another country mid-high school, stepping into my queer identity and struggling to afford college year after year are only some of the hardships I’ve been met with in my life. Expressing myself through art helped me navigate those difficult times, especially when I never had access to professional therapy. Freelancing in my adulthood could also be considered another hardship — and some days it is — but mostly it’s a lifestyle that I’m happy to reckon with.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
One might say I’m known for my obsession with design, in almost all its forms. I wear it, I create it, and I pursue more and more knowledge of it daily. While I primarily work in the production world, I’ve worked in other realms of installation doing things such as painting, assistant building, and even designing a window display for a storefront. I’d link to think what sets me apart is my unique background and how I carry it through everything I do. My passion for authentic representation of marginalized voices combined with my love for mixed media and colour allows for a refreshing quality in my own work, and exciting collaborative possibilities with other creatives.

Contact Info:

• Website: rrainehanson.com
• Email: hansonrraine@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/rrainehanson
• Other: vimeo.com/rraine

Image Credit:
Behind the scenes photo of Beauty Standards by Anissa Amalia; Photo of 826LA window display fall 2018 by Kendall Edwards; Photo of Queer Women of Color Film Festival Q&A by Lucie Pereira; Behind the scenes photo of The Divine Femmunity by Lorenzo Rossi; The Divine Femmunity film poster by Shawnie Wen; Behind the scenes photo of Beauty Standards by Anissa Amalia

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.