Sam Francis

Untitled, 1984

106.7 X 73 inch

What is patina?

What is patina?

Patina is the distinctive greenish surface that bronze develops over time due to exposure to air and humidity. Artists can also apply chemicals to bronze to artificially create patina. Alternatively, bronze can be polished to reveal its natural rich gold color. Patina is not exclusive to bronze; it can also occur on other metals like copper and even on wood and stone, enhancing the material's character over time.

Monotype

Monotype is a printmaking technique where an image is painted or drawn on a nonabsorbent, smooth surface, traditionally an etching plate of copper, but now also acrylic, zinc, or glass. The image is then transferred to paper using a printing press, creating a unique print. The first pressing removes most of the ink, making it difficult to produce additional prints with the same richness, resulting in a one-of-a-kind artwork.

Mono-Ha

Meaning School of Things, Mono-ha originated in Tokyo in the mid-1960s. Instead of creating traditional artwork, the artists of Mono-ha used different materials and their natural properties to express dismay at the industrialization taking place in Japan at the time. The movement gained international attention and is now a widely respected form of art, known for its emphasis on the relationship between materials and their environment.

Funk Art

In the 1960s, Funk Art emerged as a reactive movement against Abstract Expressionism. It was widely known as an anti-establishment movement, with the name derived from the jazz term funky. This term carried both positive and negative connotations: in the jazz world, it described passion, quirkiness, and sensuality, but it could also refer to a foul odor. Funk Art was particularly popular in the California Bay Area. While the artists of the Funk Art era shared similar attitudes and styles, they did not see themselves as part of a formal group or movement.

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