LEONARD FRENCH

Conceptual Framework

SSTs

SSTs are underlined in this presentation. Please write them down in your workbook.

Conceptual Framework- What is it? The Conceptual Framework

is a linked set of agencies that assist in the critical analysis of art.

There are four agencies in the Conceptual Framework. They are: Artist, Artwork, Audience and World.

They can be discussed separately, or together by looking at their relationships to each other and how they link to the Frames (subjective, structural, cultural, postmodern).

ARTIST

When we study the agency Artist in the Conceptual Framework we explore:

Who is the artist? What does the artist do? How does the artist do it? Why does the artist do this? Artists can be craftspeople, architects

and designers. The artist can be seen as an individual or as a group or movement.

ARTIST- Leonard French

Born 1928 in Brunswick, Melbourne

French left school to work as a sign writer.

He then left for Europe in 1949, working his way around to London, Ireland, and Belgium, studying and learning as he went.

ARTIST- Leonard French

He return to Melbourne in 1951 and began exhibiting and obtained several commissions for large murals.

In 1959, he won a scholarship to visit Asia which led him to his interest in Byzantine Art and his later visit to Greece.

In 1960 he began exhibiting with Rudy Komon in Sydney, leading to many exhibitions and much fame.

ARTIST- Leonard French

French mixes his own paints from raw pigment.

The subject matter of his paintings focuses on the human condition, mythology, darkness and light, violence and compassion.

French has received three honorary doctorates for his enormous contribution to Australian art.

ARTIST- Leonard French

In 1963 French received the commission for the stained glass ceiling at the new National Gallery of Victoria, followed by many large scale commissions throughout Australia and internationally.

ARTWORK

When we study the agency Artwork in the Conceptual Framework we explore:

What is it? Is the artwork 2D, 3D or 4D? What is the form of the artwork? Is it a painting,

sculpture or photograph etc? What materials have been used to make the

artwork? What is the subject matter? What does the artwork represent? What does the artwork look like? What elements

of design can you see?

ARTWORK- Earth Creations

ARTWORK- Earth Creations

Earth Creations 2009 is commissioned by the St John’s College Council for the St Johns Residential College at the University of Queensland. It is a commemorative piece marking the jubilee celebration of the college’s relocation from its original site at Kangaroo point to the St Lucia campus in 1956.

This artwork is installed in the St John’s Chapel.

ARTWORK- Earth Creations

French used Christian symbolism to inspire this painting.

Using the Structural Frame, what signs and symbols do you see?

Describe the artworks using the Elements of Design.

AUDIENCE

When we study the agency Audience in the Conceptual Framework we explore:

What are the roles of the audience? What types of audiences are there? (eg.

members of the public, students, teachers, art historians, critics, buyers etc)

How can audiences interact/view the artwork? Artworks themselves are static (doesn’t

change), but the audience and their interpretations changes over time.

AUDIENCE

French is represented in the National Gallery of Australia, all state galleries, many regional galleries and numerous private and corporate collections, both nationally and internationally.

How would audience view his artworks?

What meanings would his artworks have on his audience? (Think about Earth Creations in your answer)

WORLD

When we study the agency World in the Conceptual Framework we explore:

How interests in the world are represented in art. Such as personal experiences of the artist, war, religion, place etc.

It can also represent interests of the art world — movements, styles, innovations (a new method), pressures, technology and more.

WORLD

Many of the French’s paintings are drawn from literary sources, including The Bible, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.

What inspired Earth Creations? Why did Leonard French use those particular signs and symbols in his artwork? (Use the news article given by your teacher to help you. You can also view this here.