In 1983 Hessel began working in the field of Inuit art at the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Ottawa.
[1] In 1998 his book, Inuit Art: An Introduction was published by Douglas & McIntyre (Vancouver), Harry N. Abrams (New York), and the British Museum, London.
In 2006, Hessel was appointed the Albrecht Adjunct Curator of Inuit Art at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
[1] In 2011 he was appointed Head, Inuit Art Department, at Walker's Auctions in Ottawa, a position he held until 2018.
[1][12] Frequently visiting the Arctic during his career,[13] his role in introducing new media to northern communities was acknowledged at The Festive North (2005) exhibition at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.