Press Kit - Three Fragments of a Lost Tale: Sculpture and Story by John Frame 

March 12–June 27, 2011
MaryLou and George Boone Gallery
 
Since 2006, California sculptor John Frame (b. 1950) has been working toward the creation of a stop-motion animated drama featuring an eclectic cast of fully articulated characters composed of found materials and meticulously carved wood. These figures build upon the distinctive, often theatrical stationary sculptures Frame has created throughout his career, but the works on view in “Three Fragments of a Lost Tale: Sculpture and Story by John Frame” interact in a short film set in a curious and complex world. The exhibition includes sculptural figures, multiple stage settings, still photographs, and animated film vignettes. Frame’s longstanding interest in The Huntington’s rich holdings of works by William Blake (1757–1827) is reflected in a concurrent installation curated by Frame in the Works on Paper room of the Huntington Art Gallery. Frame’s first museum exhibition since an acclaimed 2005 presentation at the Long Beach Museum of Art, “Three Fragments of a Lost Tale” is accompanied by an illustrated catalog featuring an essay by art critic David Pagel.  more about the exhibition >

VIDEO: Filmmaker Johnny Coffeen explores the artist's process in this 8-minute film, scored by John Frame.

Additional Resources

Available Images

Mr. R in the Portico  16 x 16 x 4 in. Wood, fabric, glass eyes, and found objects over stainless steel armature. Photo by John Frame		Cat V 12 x 8 x 7 in. Wood, fabric, glass eyes, and found objects over stainless steel armature. Photo by John Frame
The Crippled Boy 15 x 8 x 8 in., including permanent base Wood. Photo by John Frame		O-Man 24 x 20 x 20 in., including attached base.    Wood, glass eyes, and found objects. Photo by John Frame
Pere Jules among the Machines of the Great Atelier 23 x 7 x 7 in. Wood, fabric, leather, and found objects over stainless steel armature. Photo by John Frame		Argus 21 x 9 x 7 in. Wood, fabric, glass eyes, and found objects over stainless steel armature. Photo by John Frame
The Tottentanzers Performing the “Palace of Sleep Play” 12 figures ranging in size from 7 x 3 x 2 in. to 11 x 3 x 2 in. Wood, fabric, glass eyes, gold leaf, wood, hand-colored bronze, found objects. Photo by John Frame
Pip and the Bed (animation still) 8 x 3 x 2 in. Wood, fabric, glass eyes, and found objects. Photo by John Frame		Mr. R with Monk in Poor Tom’s Library 16 x 6 x 4 in. Wood, fabric, glass eyes, and found objects over stainless steel armature. Photo by John Frame
The Crippled Boy: Middle Period (close-up) 12 x 6 x 3 in. Wood, wire, paper, cord, glass eyes and found objects. Photo by John Frame		Argus (close-up) 21 x 9 x 7 in. Wood, fabric, glass eyes, and found objects over stainless steel armature. Photo by John Frame
The Tottentanzers Strike a Pose Group of 12 figures ranging in size from 7 x 3 x 2 in. to 11 x 3 x 2 in. Wood, fabric, glass eyes, gold leaf, wood, hand-colored bronze, found objects. Photo by John Frame		O-Man 24 x 20 x 20 in., including attached base. Wood, glass eyes, and found objects. Photo by John Frame
Messenger and Charge Return with the Text 23 x 36 x 8 in. Wood and found objects. Photo by John Frame		Hand of the Maker 11 x 6 x 6 in., including base and bell jar. Wood, glass, and found objects. Photo by John Frame
D’Artand Confronts the Tottentanzers Before the Gate of Desire D’Artand: 10 x 6 x 4 in., the skeleton-like figure with torch Tottentanzers: group of 12 figures ranging in size from 7 x 3 x 2 in. to 11 x 3 x 2 in. Wood, glass eyes, and found objects. Photo by John Frame		Mr. R and Monk Before the Gate of Fear 16 x 6 x 4 in. (Mr. R) Wood, fabric, glass eyes, and found objects over stainless steel armature. Photo by John Frame
Argus (close-up) 21 x 9 x 7 in. Wood, fabric, glass eyes, and found objects over stainless steel armature. Photo by John Frame
John Frame with the Cast of Poor Tom’s Library Photo by Ashley Fennell