Film 'The Painter Sam Francis' Screens at Anthology Film Archives, Exploring Artist's Life and Work
Jeffrey Perkins's documentary, 'The Painter Sam Francis,' which spans 40 years of filming, is being showcased at Anthology Film Archives in New York until September 17, 2009. The film chronicles Sam Francis's transformation from a World War II injury and tuberculosis to a leading figure in Abstract Expressionism. With encouragement from David Park, he created art while bedridden and later transitioned to painting on the floor, attributing his recovery to his artistic endeavors. His success blossomed in Paris, where he brought Abstract Expressionism to Europe. Although initially met with skepticism in New York, he was featured in Dorothy Miller's 'Twelve Americans' at MoMA. The documentary includes interviews with family and art experts, emphasizing his connection to Japanese culture and critiques of his later pieces.
Key facts
- The documentary 'The Painter Sam Francis' by Jeffrey Perkins is 85 minutes long and was shot on 16mm, Super 8, Hi-8, and DV formats.
- It screens at Anthology Film Archives in New York through September 17, 2009.
- Sam Francis was injured during WWII pilot training and later diagnosed with tuberculosis, leading him to paint from a hospital bed.
- His career flourished in Paris, where he introduced Abstract Expressionism to Europe and became highly successful.
- Francis was included in the 'Twelve Americans' exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
- He created a mural in Tokyo in 1957, fostering a connection with Japanese culture and patronage by Sazo Idemitsu.
- His painting style featured a 'liquefying touch,' with series like 'Blue Balls' made during illness in Bern.
- The film includes interviews with art world luminaries such as Walter Hopps, Edward Ruscha, Al Held, and James Turrell.
Entities
Artists
- Sam Francis
- Jeffrey Perkins
- David Park
- Alfred Leslie
- Walter Hopps
- Edward Ruscha
- Al Held
- James Turrell
- Clement Greenberg
- Pontus Hulten
- George Steiner
- Charles Curtis
- Muriel Goodwin
- Elaine Anderson
- Dorothy Miller
- Sazo Idemitsu
Institutions
- Anthology Film Archives
- Body and Soul Productions
- Museum of Modern Art
- Time magazine
- Rodin Crater Project
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Paris
- France
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Bern
- Switzerland
- California