Sam Francis

I saw works by Sam Francis for the first times at the Pasadena Museum of California Art, and I'd like to talk about a few of the works that I saw.

Artwork: "Mantis," Sam Francis,  ca. 1960-61

Oil on canvas, 52 x 78 inches

Francis's work, like "Untitled" from 1975 (below) often employs a variety of forms, yet there is a simple composition in the work reminiscent of the simple aesthetic of Japanese Sumi-e ink paintings. This Japanese influence can be seen especially in "Mantis" (above). Balancing various forms with a simple composition, Francis balances variety and harmony to create unity. He makes what could be chaos into orderly compositions. Unlike Pollock with his use of chance, Francis consciously places forms and colors in his compositions in order to create balance.

Some of Francis's work, like "Untitled" from 1975, have a different perspective than usual. Francis was a pilot and so he painted his canvases while they were on the ground, thus creating a convincing perspective from above, as would be seen from an airplane.

"Untitled," Sam Francis, 1975, Acrylic on Paper, 22 x 30 in

Many of Francis's works look simple and effortless, such as "Mantis." However, like Japanese ink paintings, they are deceptive and in reality take a lot of effort and skill. Like a Zen master Japanese ink painter,  Francis had to have a lot of discipline in order to make his precise and exuberant brushstrokes.

Francis's Edge Paintings particularly confused and challenged me but also compelled me. I'll talk about what compelled me about them.With their four defined edges, the Edge Paintings create perspective and draw the viewer into the negative space at the center. These paintings emphasize the negative space and through this emphasis the negative space becomes a positive white form that takes on volume and seems to jump out of the canvas. The colorful edges becomes secondary, seeming to only serve the purpose of drawing the painting together. Because the white is not pure white, there is depth to it and the white space becomes active.

Sam Francis, "Untitled" [Edge Painting], 1966 Oil on canvas, 42 x 30 1/4 inches