Sam Francis at the Crocker

Untitled, 1980, Acrylic on canvas

The day I decided to attend the Crocker Museum to see this exhibition I met a women at breakfast and she gave me two passes for free entry to the museum. After seeing the show I was very happy that I didn’t have to pay that day. I was unimpressed with the work, abstract art has never been my favorite but I thought I would check it out anyway. I thought there was a large amount of work being shown, though expected in a retrospective, but I didn’t think it was overly crowded. 

After De Chirico, 1946, Oil on Canvas

(Clockwise) Migrant Camp-CAL., c. 1946, Watercolor on paper, Untitled (Winter Flurry), c.1946, Watercolor
on paper, Untitled, 1945/46, Ink and Watercolor on paper, Late Summer, 1945, Watercolor on paper

The Secret Room, 1946, Egg tempera on Masonite panel

His work ranged in sized a lot, and I felt there were a nice variety of pieces shown. Though his typical splattered, colorful works that he is most known for did not do anything for me, I did particularly enjoy his works done in the 40’s. The pieces that were on display were so far from his adapted style and I enjoyed them. The more surrealistic works done were pretty amazing, especially After De Chirico, the strange objects, harsh dark shadows, and distant horizon line was more exciting that any of the other works in this whole show. This small dreamlike painting showed where his initial inspirations came from before he decided to join the realm of abstract expressionism.

Myself in front of Untitled NO. 11, 1972-73,
Acrylic and oil on canvas

(Close up) Untitled, 1974/1976, Acrylic on canvas

Untitled (Self Portrait), 1974
Acrylic on paper

Untitled, 1973, Ink and egg tempera on
paper

I really enjoyed the earlier works in this show and would have liked to see more. It was interesting to see where his art had started and what it transformed into over the years. I would only suggest this show if someone was already at the Crocker otherwise I don’t think its worth the trip.

Untitled, Acrylic on Shaped Canvas

Artist Lecture: Ann Weber

Ann Weber with Almost 16 and 15 and 1/2,  2006,  cardboard, staples, polyurethane,
steel bases

Ann Weber answering questions

Weber is most well known for her work with cardboard, though she did not start out as a sculptor of this commonplace material. She was born in 1950 in Michigan and eventually traveled around the country for school and trying to find her niche as an artist. She originally started out as an Art History major but eventually moved towards studio art. During this discussion Weber openly discussed her hardships as an art student and her struggles though out her life to figure out what she really wanted to do in with art. I enjoyed her great sense of humor and ability to talk about having to overcome difficult situations in her life. Weber talked about her teacher in California named Viola Frey who was a huge inspiration to her as a graduate student. She admired Frey’s dedication to her art. Though while in school she stayed committed to clay once she graduated she decided to switched mediums, moving from clay to plaster and eventually finding her signature medium, cardboard.

Ann Weber preparing to start the discussion

Cardboard Furniture by Frank Gehry

Frank Gehry and his creations of cardboard furniture initially influenced Weber. These works helped her experiment with cardboard an eventually fall in love with the medium. During her talk she shared many stories, which I felt helped students understand that everyone goes through tough times and all that matters is that you have to keep fighting if being an artist is really what you want to do. One story she told that really showed her resilience was about a studio she rented that burned down in a freak accident, not only was the building lost but also ten years of artwork she had produced. After this devastating event she decided to keep moving forward as an artist and eventually she became stronger because of it. She has done several public works all over the world and even one here in Sacramento at the Capitol Area East End Complex.

Audience for Ann Weber's artist lecture

Weber, during the talk was also very open about explaining here art making process and why she loved cardboard so much. She talked about the materials lightweight property making it a wonderful medium to explore large works with because it could still be light enough to move. She laughingly told stories of dumpster diving to find used cardboard for her work, and traveling to places like Germany where digging through the trash was unheard of. I really enjoyed this lecture simply because of the wonderful attitude Ann Weber has person in general and even more so as an artist. She was very inspirational and ended by telling the young artist in the room to look at what was around them and to show their life experiences through their work.