2020, 19h x 18w x 6d, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Surface: Oxide
Collective Unconscious, a large scale relief, from the series HandWork, explores the way our point of view is influenced in the subconscious. Many hands represent the variety of ways we are moved by many others on a subconscious level. The colors range from an earthy brown for the physical and intellectual, transitioning to a watery blue as the emotional or heart level and a deeper black going into the depths of our being at the gut level. In Seven Obstacles the same care for metaphor and color will be applied.
2018, 22h x 12w x 9d, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Surface: Glazed, Oxide
Interruption shows a strong woman trying to keep focused while constantly being disrupted by outside forces.
2016, 31h x 14w x 18d, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Surface: Non-ceramic
Over-Protective Mother is about parenting that restricts a child from exploring their world due to a mother's fear. Thus, the child is held too tightly with a lock from the love of the mothers powerful braid.
2016, 24h x 9w x 11d, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Surface: Oxide
Holding describes the beauty and grace of aging. The figure has no arms or hands of its own as there is a helplessness and inability to stop the aging process. The multiple hands show a holding on of a life force or essence while the crack is a symbol of the loss of physicality. There is gold leaf at the entrance to the crack supporting the idea that the soul is the jewel. Beautiful is one who has lived through the tibulations of time but continues to sparkle with the hope and shine of life.
2017, 23h x 11w x 12d, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Surface: Oxide
On My Back (back view) represents the pressures or responsibilities of life clawing on ones back as a burden. The figure has no arms representing how there is no control or power to stop the clutch. Here the back view shows the whole expression of the piece.
2017, 23h x 11w x 12d, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Surface: Oxide
On My Back (back view) represents the pressures or responsibilities of life clawing on ones back as a burden. The figure has no arms representing how there is no control or power to stop the clutch.
2018, 60h x 8w x 12d, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Surface: Oxide
The hands reaching from the wall, are for those looking for connection and to break through to a new reality. Clasping hands from floor and wall indicate it is possible to find that support and connection. This is a reaction to border wall and those so much in need and can be felt on many levels.
2016, 42h x 16w x 12d, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Surface: Non-ceramic
2016, 32h x 15w x 15d, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Surface: Oxide
Child Support uses hand gestures as hidden energies, Child Support expresses the beauty of support found in community when raising a child. The young girl’s stance and white color represent innocence while touching her hair which metaphorically represents her power. She is a dancer and her tutu, made up of the many hands, represent community support for her passion and growth of dance.
2016, 32h x 20 w x 18d, Media: Stoneware, Firing Process: Electric, Surface: Oxide
Artist Statement
Sandy Frank’s evocative figural clay sculptures capture not only the external physical manifestation and traits of what she is depicting, but they also capture the internal, spiritual and psychological physiognomies of her subject. They breathe for us. She uses her medium, the age-old process of shaping clay, to ground herself so that she can connect a modern consciousness to an ancient one. Clay is luscious and sensuous. She has been involved with this medium for a long time. Frank fell in love with clay over 20 years ago while living for a time on the Caribbean island of Grenada. She worked with local artisans to dig up the clay and process it to create a workable medium.
The newest work, Hand Work uses imagery and expression of hands to depict the unseen energy from social, cultural or emotional pressure. Frank brings her subjects to life giving them a presence through subtle gesture, color, form and concept so each has a unique energy.
The work is deliberate. Frank has spent over15 years perfecting her technique in clay. Frank uses live models so that the sculpture energetically and anatomically breathes and feels right. She works with a variety of clay bodies and finishes to get the desired effect. She seeks to create beauty in her work but with some intrigue so that people will look and see something and wonder about it and then look again.
Bio
Sandy Frank has been a been a practicing artist for 30 years. She has worked and shown national and internationally. Presently she lives in Sonoma County and teaches at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, and runs drawing and figurative sculpture workshops in the Bay Area. Her next solo show will be in 2022 at the Abrams Claghorn Gallery in Albany.