Apr 01, 2008 sam francis painting in his studio in venice. The painterly abstraction of sam francis is most often associated with the american abstract expressionist movement, but francis also spent a great deal of time in paris and became linked with the parallel movement of art informel in europe. Sam francis biography sam francis 1923 1994 in the summer of 1923, one of the twentieth centurys most profound abstract expressionists artists, sam lewis francis, was born in san mateo, california. A portrait of abstract expressionist painter sam francis. The portrait of francis doesnt articulate enough to explain the films epic gestation period. Sam francis was an american abstract painter who enjoyed exploring creative processes with an unstoppable driving force. Directors statement when sam francis said, i paint time, this concept could very well have been the primary template for the making of this film.
These remarkable works on paper belonged to one of the artists closest confidants. Sam francis was one of the 20th centurys most profound abstract expressionist artists. The painter sam francis is a labor of love, a moving portrait of a man, and a tribute to the power of art. In 2010, artist and filmmaker jeffrey perkins released the documentary called the painter sam francis. Forty years in the making, the painter sam francis is artist jeffrey perkins intimate portrait of abstract expressionist painter sam francis. Filming francis, who painted in an almost trancelike state wasnt easy. Francis most iconic works are characterized by saturated splashes of color that populate the edges of.
He was born in san mateo, california, and studied botany, medicine and psychology at the university of california, berkeley. The film chronicles francis life from childhood to the peak years of. Sam franciss lithographs are known for their experimental process, painterly aesthetic, and expressive quality. A different process is evident in jeffrey perkinss film the painter sam francis, where the artist holds a large, round paintbrush, with a soft ovalshaped tip, and lays down an almost invisible water drawing on the canvas for the berlin mural 1970. He was much influenced by clyfford styll and mark rothco.
Notes on sam franciss painting methods and materials in. United states court of appeals for the ninth circuit recommended for you. The film retraces francis life and career from his childhood in california to his artistic maturation in postwar paris, his time. Sam francis was an american painter and printmaker. Learn about hipsters and happenings, and the venues across the city where all the action took place through images from the archives and firsthand accounts with the artists. See available prints and multiples, paintings, and works on paper for sale and learn about the artist. Admirers of the secondgeneration abstract expressionist sam francis, who died in. To produce his limited edition lithographs, sam francis established his own print studio, named the litho shop, inc. Francis is produced by robert arthur, directed by arthur lubin, and stars donald oconnor and patricia medina. Sam francis american, 19231994 was an abstract expressionist painter and lithographer, known for his exuberant use of color.
Created over the course of four decades, the painter sam francis is a warm tribute to the intimate bond shared by the filmmaker and his subject. Sam francis was as immensely influential as a printmaker as he was a painter, creating large scale, colorful lithographs that share the same spontaneous energy as. Sam francis 19231994 san mateo, california 1923 1994 santa monica american title. The painter sam francis, a film by jeffrey perkins artcritical. Sam francis was an american artist known for his exuberantly colorful, largescale abstract paintings. Find an indepth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold auction prices. Sam francis was initially influenced by the abstract expressionists and later became associated with second generation. The painter sam francis is a wellmeaning mishmash that wouldnt pass muster as an episode of american masters. Forty years in the making, the painter sam francis is artist jeffrey perkins lyrical and intimate portrait of a friend, mentor, and leading light of american. Forty years in the making, the painter sam francis is artist jeffrey perkins lyrical and intimate portrait of a friend, mentor, and leading light of american abstract art. The film retraces francis life and career from his childhood in california to his artistic maturation in postwar paris, his time spent in japan, and his return to the forty years in the making, the painter sam francis is artist jeffrey perkins lyrical and intimate portrait of a friend, mentor, and leading light of american abstract art.
Sam francis 19231994 an abstract expressionist painter known for his brilliant coloration and splotchlike shapes, francis became one of the bigname modernist artists of the second half of the 20th century. Sam francis, american painter and printmaker who was prominent among the group of painters known as the second generation of abstract expressionists. The 1935 death of his mother, who had encouraged his interest in music affected him deeply, but he later developed a strong bond. Sam francis enrolled in the university of california at berkeley in 1941. Francis studied at the university of california at berkeley in 194143. When he was in the act of painting sam was in a creative sacred space, whitney recalls. Sam francis was married five times, and was the father of four children. The film retraces francis life and career from his childhood in california to his artistic maturation in postwar paris, his time spent in japan, and his return to the united states. Admirers of the secondgeneration abstract expressionist sam francis, who died in 1994, and students of modern american art will want to see jeffrey perkinss documentary the painter sam. Sam francis untitled sf255, l237 ap 1979 limited edition print. Sam francis was born in san mateo, california, the son of katherine lewis francis and samuel augustus francis, sr.
The painter sam francis 85 minutes shot on 16mm, super 8, hi8, dv 2008 body and soul productions showing at anthology film archives, new york, through september 17 the film biography the painter sam francis might be better called what happened to sam francis. Sam francis was an american painter whose breakthrough into america came with his participation in the exhibition of, twelve americans in the new york museum of modern art in 1956. Sam francis was bornon june 25, 1923 in san mateo, ca. During this time of sam s life his style changed from monochrome compositions to colorful. He has created thousands of paintings as well as works on paper, prints, monotypes and even sculptures, which brought him a strong, longlasting international reputation. Although associated with the abstract expressionist movement and clement greenbergs postpainterly abstraction, unlike many american painters of he time he had direct and prolonged exposure to french painting and to japanese art which had an individual impact on his work. See more ideas about sam francis, artist and abstract. Along with many other abstract expression artists, francis would help define a new way of creating modern art that is still in use and copied today by new. The distinctive voice of francis is a voiceover by actor chill wills.
From 1946, when he started painting until his death in 1994, he worked in studios around the world santa monica, paris, tokyo, basel, seattle, new york and san francisco, to name a few. Just like francis believed that his life was a series of adventures and challenges, the sam francis foundation wants to expand and promote his sense of wonder and his freedom to explore the world through the artistic instincts. Sam francis was as immensely influential as a printmaker as he was a painter, creating large scale, colorful lithographs that share the same spontaneous energy as his other works. He was married from 1947 through 1952 to vera miller, a high school girlfriend, then to california painter muriel goodwin 195558 then to japanese painter teruko yokoi with whom he had a daughter, kayo. The film retraces francis life and career from his childhood in california to his artistic maturation in postwar paris, his time spent in japan, and his prominence in the united states. Although associated with the abstract expressionist movement and clement greenbergs postpainterly abstraction, unlike many american painters of he time he had direct and prolonged exposure to french painting and to japanese art which had an individual. Painter sam francis, the movie information from citwf, the free online movie database covering over 507,364 movies from 175 countries. Artist jeffrey perkins directs this documentary about his dear friend sam francis, a pivotal figure in american abstract art. The film chronicles francis life from childhood to the peak years of his career, and features anecdotes and insights from fellow artists such as ed ruscha, james turrell, and bruce conner.
New bechtler museum show features painter sam francis. Sam francis american contemporary artist 23 listings. He served in the united states air force during world war ii before being injured during test flight maneuvers. Sam francis samfrancis paintings sam francis prints. In the course of the film the painter travels to the three places that have been central to his development. The painter sam francis nr, 1 hr 25 min documentary. Sep 19, 2017 the painter sam francis cannot reveal much more than the paintings do themselves, and that limit is not a dead end, but a revelation. Born in san mateo, ca, he studied art at the university of california, berkeley, after serving in the air force during world war ii. Select any poster below to play the movie, totally free. Sam francis artist we buy and sell sam francis paintings. From hindman, sam francis, web 1972, color screenprint.
He is known as one of the twentieth centurys most successful postworld war ii abstract expressionists. Buy and sell signed multiples and original paintings at fair prices on llery. Sam francis, in full samuel lewis francis, born june 25, 1923, san mateo, california, u. Overview of painter sam francis, the, 2009, directed by jeffrey perkins, with samuel francis, bruce conner, ed ruscha, at turner classic movies.
The painter sam francis, a film by jeffrey perkins. The documentary includes film of francis at work, filmed between 1968 and the early 90s together with interviews with friends, family, and professional associates of francis. The distinctive voice of francis is a voiceover by actor chill wills six francis sequels from universalinternational followed this first effort. The painter sam francis details and credits metacritic. A whirling square is a massive, acrylic on canvas painting, executed in a dripped, splattered and swirling palette of bright reds, yellows, vi. The film retraces francis life and career from his childhood in california to his artistic maturation in postwar paris, his time spent in japan, and his return to the forty years in the making, the painter. The painter sam francis 2008 jeffrey perkins synopsis. Samuel lewis francis june 25, 1923 november 4, 1994 was an american painter and printmaker. On imdb tv, you can catch hollywood hits and popular tv series at no cost. The painter sam francis assembles a wideranging historical picture of several phases in the career of one of the premiere artists of the abstract expressionist movement. In 2010, artist and filmmaker jeffrey perkins released the documentary the painter sam francis. Sam francis was born in 1923 in san mateo, california, and became an icon within the realm of expressionism during the second wave of expressionist artists that arrived during the 1950s. Francis most iconic works are characterized by saturated splashes of color that populate the edges of the canvas in order to emphasize the luminous.
Painter and printmaker known for works such as black and red and symphony in blue. About the film filmmakers clips artwork contact press kit. September 11th, 2009 not yet rated 1 hr 25 min plot summary. Rapid fluid indivisible vision is on display through march 7 at the bechtler museum of modern art. Francis is a 1950 american blackandwhite comedy film from universalinternational that launched the francis the talking mule film series. During this time of sams life his style changed from monochrome compositions to colorful. The film retraces francis life and career from his childhood in california to his artistic maturation in postwar paris, his time spent in japan, and his. Sep 11, 2009 the film chronicles francis life from childhood to the peak years of his career, and features anecdotes and insights from fellow artists such as ed ruscha, james turrell, and bruce conner. Sam francis 1923 1994 occupies a prominent position in postwar american painting. Rare definitive state artist proof on rives wove paper with deckle edge. With bruce conner, samuel francis, al held, walter hopps.