In the Artist Corner with Francene Levinson
The amazing work of some of Fuller Craft Museum's talented Members is currently on exhibit in the 2012 Biennial Member's Exhibition. Francene Levinson, of Boca Raton, Florida, takes the time to answer a few questions for Fuller Craft.
Which artist has been your biggest inspiration?
The ancient Chinese paper folding technique I use is called "Zhe Zhi." The Western world was first introduced to it in 1993 by Chinese immigrants who were captured off the ship "Golden Venture" in New York harbor. The unique paper folk art they created while in an American prison serves as my inspiration to explore this medium. The paper sculpture I now create attempts to honor these immigrants' struggle for freedom. The statement said by a Chinese immigrant, "We entrust our dreams to the fragility of paper...", has become my own.
What do you love most about Fuller Craft Museum?
I love the high quality of fine art crafts that the Fuller Museum selects to exhibit.
What is your favorite part of the Fall Season?
I'm a Florida resident and am looking forward to experiencing the first cool, dry breeze.
Tell us about your process. What is the most unique part of it?
I expand on the time-honored medium of paper to find new forms of expression through complex paper folding. The discovery of Chinese 'Zhe Zhi' modular paper folding was a shared cultural experience taught to me by one of my students. Working in this modular paper medium allows me to create abstract direct sculpture. My style reveals the dynamic lines of various organic forms. Natural forms reflect my Florida environment and allow me to explore their architecture, as well as their hidden mathematical beauty. My direct sculptures may have as many as 6500 pieces of re-purposed, archival, folded, color inkjet paper bonded with Ph neutral glue. Creating abstract direct sculpture from flat paper is a revealing challenge and fulfills my need to share the wonder of my world. The most unique part of my paper sculpture process is the length of time it takes to create the number of hand-cut, hand-folded and glued paper units which are needed to create the line and shape of my sculptural concepts.
What is the most challenging/rewarding part of working with your chosen medium?
The most challenging part of working with complex modular paper folding is the need to carefully pre-plan the final sculptural form because the joints and changes of slope can often be restrictive to the original concept. The size of each unit must be the same in order to be linked and permit interesting elements to be expanded and shaped. Once all the pieces are glued to one another, the forms is set like stone. If an element needs modification it can be very challenging to change. However, when my paper sculptures are completed to my satisfaction, there is no greater thrill.
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