Statement of Intent/Franz Kline Research

I am a second year Fine Art student currently studying at the University of Sunderland. My aim this year is to create work that combines a variety of different mediums, such as collage and abstract expressionist painting, to drawing materials and stencilling, among many others. I also aim to explore portraiture mainly within my work, looking into different ways to create portraits, mainly based around certain musicians, writers and other individuals I am interested in. Ultimately creating mixed media portraits that are unique, utilising processes I have used in the past and ones I am new to.

The first artist I have been looking at as part of this new project is Franz Kline. I have always been interested in abstract expressionism and will use this method of painting as a base to create abstract grounds that I will combine with other mediums to make portraits. The first pieces I have been looking at by Kline are, Blueberry Eyes (1959-60 Oil on Paperboard) and Black Reflections (1959. Oil on paperboard). I admire Kline’s broad gestural mark making that strongly represents movement and energy. Which I believe would be a good ground on which to create portraits, from drawing or collage.

Abstract expressionism : the critical developments / organized by Michael Auping ; with essays by Michael Auping ... (et al.) ; and an interview with Lawrence Alloway - Book used to research Kline and other ab. expressionists not mentioned.