Hagler’s work interacts with a broad spectrum of subjects, including his own middle American upbringing, the 19th century exploration of North America, modern science fiction and the traditions of Italian religious art. Through his visual work, Hagler confronts ideas of extreme religious experience and notions of wider cultural and social identities.

To tackle these extensive concepts, Hagler produces sweeping canvases. His scenes are often distorted by gestural smears of fluid brushwork that enter into realms of abstraction. Hagler has commented that these abstract forms should appear to the viewer as manifestations of unformed recollections, reflecting the ephemeral process of memory.