Ian Franks
I am very interested in the ways that traditional western art has played with symbolism, color, and narrative to not just portray an event, but to exceed any natural element of that event. That's camp.
This painting--The Two Judies Bring a Trifle in Adoration--has three primary references in the world of art history. The two women portrayed are, albeit modified, referenced from two depictions of Judith beheading Holofornes. The Alligator was originally referenced after Olympia. Unlike the source material I didn't want to reference blood directly, except for one small cut finger, but instead strategically littered the red objects about in a deliberate spray from the women to their antagonist.
Red was a primary driving force in the development of this piece as I seeked to identify ways I could create multiple textures with the same two reds and how they would wax and wain in intensity when put in concert with greens, deep grays, and yellows. The stage is set with fine fabrics, glossy jewels and syrupy cherries, soft feathers and course lace, and full blooming red poppies to distract from the bugs, the chaos, and the threat of violence.
The Two Judies Bring a Trifle in Adoration
Acrylic on canvas, 24” x 30” $1600
Ian Franks is originally from New York where he worked as an actor before moving to Canada to be with his partner. In Canada is where he first started taking his painting seriously working first as a watercolor portrait painter and eventually developing a stronger voice as a figurative painter specializing mostly in acrylic. Having not received any formal training as a painter, the passion to create has been deeply rooted in his love of history, storytelling, and drama as well as having the opportunity to grow up near some of the greatest fine art institutions in the world.