Artist Statement
Although my ceramic sculptures are mostly architectural in nature, they incorporate organic elements of landscape and are often figurative in form. These seemingly disparate elements are blended and articulated to create a sense of understanding of the manner in which we touch nature and nature touches us.
The technique and surface treatment used to build this body of work has evolved slightly over the last few years. The slabs of clay that I use are thinner and more fluid; I manipulate them, of course, but they also dictate what I can do to them. The surface treatment now incorporates several applications of thinned glazes for their transparency and ability to create visual depth, liquid porcelain for texture, and multiple firings at different temperatures to vary color.
I am able to achieve a relatively complex surface using only two types of clay, a red clay body and porcelain, and two Ostrom washes, one blue/black, the other red/orange. For me the challenge is to get a maximum range of color and texture using the minimal number of materials.
Many things have inspired my work: travel, reading, conversations, and reflection. As I worked in the studio, all of this becomes background for what is important to me, which was simply the synthesis of form and surface.
I only wish for you to walk away understanding that you can bring your own experiences and imagination to any interpretation of the work that you wish. I welcome you to share your ideas of what they evoke for you.
Biography
Born in Paris, Daniel Frachon moved to Montreal at age 7, then spent some years in Detroit, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. He has been a resident of Humboldt County for the last 35 years. Daniel’s entry into sculptural ceramics began with classes at HSU where he has taken a variety of art courses since graduating with a degree in Geography in the late 70’s.
It was after Daniel Frachon came to northern California in the early 70’s that he began experimenting with sculpture, wood-working and drawing. For over twenty years he dabbled in sculpture and furniture making. Then, one day, he took a ceramics class.
"It was just too incredible," he says, "The medium was very easy to work with and offered so many possibilities. I was drawn to it immediately."
That was in 1997. Since then, Daniel has retired from his construction work and has built himself a studio in his home north of Big Lagoon. It is there that he dedicates days and nights to the creation of his nearly figurative work.
"I think I have a natural feel for form. For a long time I just made things, structural things, with texture and different surface treatments. I never actually tried to say anything with my ceramics because form was the only thing that I wanted to express. Form is something that everybody can understand. It’s universal. It’s objective”.
In 2000 Daniel traveled to China. The experience added a different dimension to his work. In China, Daniel made sketches of the scenery, of the buildings and of the mountains and rivers. The images penetrated his psyche to the extent that one night after his return home, at about two in the morning, Daniel created a piece that seemed to emerge from his subconscious.
With that first piece, Daniel became inspired with the idea of adding content to his work. He began to express the ideas about nature, architecture, and society; about how they interact and influence one another.
Artist’s Resume
Education
Humboldt State University — Arcata, CA
1978 BA, Physical Geography
1996-2002 Continuing Art Studies
San Bao Ceramic Art Institute — Jingdezhen, China
2003 Artist In Residence
Individual Shows
Piante Gallery, Eureka, California, 2006
The Irish Shop, Eureka, California, 2003
Humboldt State University Foyer Gallery, 2002
Arcata Health Alliance, Arcata, California, 2001
Group Shows
Morris Graves Museum of Art, Eureka, California, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2016
Piante Gallery, 2007, 2016
California Fine Art Exhibit, California State Fair, 2008
Trinidad Art Gallery, Trinidad, California, 2007, 2008, 2009
Westhaven Center for the Arts, Trinidad, California, 2005, 2006
Redwood Art Association, Eureka, California, 2005, 2008, 2009
Humboldt State University Seniors Show, 2004
Humboldt County Fair, Ferndale, California, 2004, 2005
Humboldt State University Juried Show, 2002
Trinidad Fish Festival and Art Festival, Trinidad, California, 2001, 2002
Humboldt State University’s First Street Gallery, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004
Awards
Association of Clay & Glass Artists of California, September, 2008
Redwood Art Association, Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2009
The Silver Shoe Award, Humboldt State University Art Department, 2004
Trinidad Fish and Art Festival, 2001, 2002
Humboldt State University Juried Show, 2002
Memberships and Associations
Ink People, Eureka, California
Redwood Art Association, Eureka, California
Humboldt Arts Council, Eureka, California
Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California