FRANCES SEMPLE Biography
A Victoria, British Columbia resident, Frances Semple’s work has metamorphosed from the primarily two-dimensional world of painting into the three-dimensional realm of sculpture. In fact, by cultivating an emotive response to time, Semple impressively embraces the fourth-dimension as well. Her figures bear textures suggestive of eras past and present, while body postures and facial expressions are evocative of wisdom. In so doing, Semple enters the realm of social architecture where psychology and form meet.
Forms that are fragile yet enduring emerge from torsos frequently interrupted by surprising fractures or voids. Some figures tumble through chaos resulting from the erosion of certainty. Others trek forth into the unknown steadfast and resolute.
Having schooled internationally including Italy, Scotland, and Canada, Semple explores a universal concept of human experience during the search for a place of shelter and comfort. The work is consistently evocative of holding one’s breath during transition while being simultaneously vulnerable and full of anticipation.
FRANCES SEMPLE Statement
Sculpture is quite simply what I like to do. My pieces are a reflection of how I look at the world around me and what intigues me at the time. One of my long standing curiosities is
the way internal and external forces pass through our lives leaving their mark like weather on a landscape. I use the human figure as a vehicle to explore the form and textures from these observations.
FRANCES SEMPLE Resumé
E X H I B I T I O N S
Solo Shows
2008.....................Winchester Galleries, Victoria BC, Canada
2004.....................Sunshine Coast Arts Center, BC, Can.
2002.......................Xchanges,Victoria, BC, Canada
1992.......................Glass Slipper Jazz Bar, Van, BC, Canada
1990 & 91...............Paper Ya, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Group Shows
2007.....SOFA Chicago - Chicago, Illinois, USA
- represented by Sculpturesite Gallery
Form and Forum, Coquitlam, BC, Canada
2006.....E3 Gallery, New York, New York, USA
On Canvas Gallery, Victoria, BC, Canada
2005....Sculpturesite, San Francisco, California, USA
2004....New Leaf Gallery, Berkeley, California, USA
Sunshine Coast Arts Center, Sechelt, BC, Canada
2003....Fran Willis Gallery, Victoria, BC, Canada
- a collaborative performance and art exhibit
2002....Vancouver International Airport, Van, BC, Can
Victoria Community Arts Council, Victoria, BC, Can.
Xchanges, Victoria, BC, Canada
2001..... Xchanges, Victoria BC Can.
BC
Festival of the Arts, Fort St John, BC, Canada
Victoria Community Arts Council, Victoria, BC, Can.
“Annual Juried Exhibit” BC, Canada
- Award of Excellence
1991.....Ontario Craft’s Council, Toronto, Ont., Canada
1990....Surrey Art Gallery : “Functional Art”, Surrey, BC, Can
Canadian Craft Museum: “ Made by Hand” Van, BC, Can
Provenance, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
R E V I E W S
2004.......Coast Cable 11 - Arts Review - television interview
2003……CH TV – Go Magazine – television interview
2002.....Victoria News - Arts and Entertainment – Ingrid Paulsen
Shaw Cable - television interview
1992.....Country Homes Magazine
1991........Interiors and Architectural Magazine,
Playboard Magazine
1990........Vancouver Sun, Saturday Review - Ann Rosenburg
Western Living Magazine
Homes and Ideas Magazine - Featured Artist
CBC Art Beat - radio interview,
E D U C A T I O N
1995 - 1996...............Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Vancouver, Canada
-industrial design, photography, printmaking
1979 - 1982...............Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, Canada
1977..................…....Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland
1976.........................Ontario College of Art , Florence, Italy
- student exchange
1975 - 1977..............Ontario College of Art, Toronto, Canada
