Elliott Louis Gallery Canadian Fine Art

Frances Semple  Bio  ·    Video  ·     ·  Exhibitions:   Figure and Ground  click to view video


"Sculpture is quite simply what I like to do.  My pieces are a reflection of how I look at the world around me and what intrigues me. One of my long standing curiosities is the way internal and external forces pass through our lives leaving their mark like weather on a landscape. I use the human figure as a vehicle to explore the form and textures from these observations." 

A resident of Victoria, BC, Frances Semple has evolved from the two-dimensionality of painting into the world of sculpture.  Her arresting figures display textures suggestive of eras past and present, body postures and facial expressions evocative of wisdom.  Forms appear fragile yet enduring, emerging from torsos frequently interrupted by fractures or voids, simultaneously vulnerable and full of anticipation. 




Click on the thumbnails below to view a larger image.

Frances Semple - Pensive  - click for larger image

Pensive
21 x 7 x 12 Inches 
polymer gypsum & metal base
$3,200
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Jude - click for larger image

Jude
35 x 13 x 8 Inches 
concrete, graphite, wax on stainless steel base
$3,800
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Insight - click for larger image

Insight
13.5 x 24 x 24 Inches 
hydrastone with stainless steel base
$4,000
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Insight  - click for larger image

Insight
13.5 x 24 x 24 Inches 
hydrastone with stainless steel base
$4,000
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Reclining Male I - click for larger image

Reclining Male I
22 x 32 x 16 Inches 
cast concrete
$6,000
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Dream Sequence II  - click for larger image

Dream Sequence II
62 x 27 x 13.5 Inches 
cast concrete, metal armature & steel rod
$4,800
editon of 8
Frances Semple - Dream Sequence II - detail - click for larger image

Dream Sequence II - detail
62 x 27 x 13.5 Inches 
cast concrete, metal armature & steel rod
$4,800
edition of 8
Frances Semple - Winter Coat - click for larger image

Winter Coat
28 x 8 x 6 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$2,100
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Winter Coat -back - click for larger image

Winter Coat -back
28 x 8 x 6 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$2,100
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Thinker - click for larger image

Thinker
22 x 21 x 21 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$3,500
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Thinker - click for larger image

Thinker
22 x 21 x 21 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$3,500
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Reclining Male II - click for larger image

Reclining Male II
13 x 9 x 32 Inches 
concrete & wax
$3,000
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Reclining Male II - back - click for larger image

Reclining Male II - back
13 x 9 x 32 Inches 
concrete & wax
$3,000
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Man in Kilt - click for larger image

Man in Kilt
35 x 14 x 7 Inches 
cast concrete
$3,800
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Man in Kilt - click for larger image

Man in Kilt
35 x 14 x 7 Inches 
cast concrete
$3,800
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Man in a Kilt - click for larger image

Man in a Kilt
35 x 147 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$3,800
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Wind - click for larger image

Wind
28 x 8 x 6 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$2,100
edition of 9

Frances Semple - Wind (back view) - click for larger image

Wind (back view)
28 x 8 x 6 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$2,100
edition of 9

Frances Semple - Young Man - click for larger image

Young Man
35 x 14 x 7 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$3,500
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Young Man -side - click for larger image

Young Man -side
35 x 14 x 7 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$3,500
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Young Man - click for larger image

Young Man
35 x 147 Inches 
cast concrete
$3,500
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Study #1 - click for larger image

Study #1
35 x 14 x 7 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$3,500
edtion of 9    

Frances Semple - Study #1  (back view) - click for larger image

Study #1 (back view)
35 x 14 x 7 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$3,500
edition of 9

Frances Semple - Piece (wall mounted) - click for larger image

Piece (wall mounted)
40 x 22 x 13 Inches 
cast concrete & metal
$4,500
edition of 8

Frances Semple - Piece (side view) - click for larger image

Piece (side view)
40 x 22 x 13 Inches 
cast concrete & metal
$4,500
edition of 8

Frances Semple - Coy - click for larger image

Coy
28 x 8 x 6 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$2,100
edition of 9

Frances Semple - Coy (left view) - click for larger image

Coy (left view)
28 x 8 x 6 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$2,100
edtion of 9

Frances Semple - Coy (right view) - click for larger image

Coy (right view)
28 x 8 x 6 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$2,100
edtion of 9

Frances Semple - Study # 2 - click for larger image

Study # 2
33 x 7 x 7 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$3,500
edition of 9

Frances Semple - Pas Seul  - click for larger image

Pas Seul
48 x 26 x 12 Inches 
cast concrete
Dimensions of concrete base
are not included.
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Pas Seul  - click for larger image

Pas Seul
48 x 26 x 12 Inches 
bronze
$25,000
Dimensions of concrete base are not included
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Water - click for larger image

Water
21 x 33.5 x 9 Inches 
cast concrete, metal armature & beeswax
$4,800
Frances Semple - Perpetual Motion - triptych - Figure I - click for larger image

Perpetual Motion - triptych - Figure I
17 x 7 x 24 Inches 
cast concrete
$8,500
edition of 9

Frances Semple - Perpetual Motion - Triptych - Figure II    - click for larger image

Perpetual Motion - Triptych - Figure II
17 x 7 x 24 Inches 
cast concrete
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Perpetual Motion - Triptych - Figure III - click for larger image

Perpetual Motion - Triptych - Figure III
17 x 7 x 24 Inches 
cast concrete
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Weight - click for larger image

Weight
31 x 12 x 28 Inches 
cast concrete
edition of 8
Frances Semple - Figure in Motion - click for larger image

Figure in Motion
17 x 6 x 11 Inches 
cast concrete & metal
edition of 5
Frances Semple - Dream Sequence I - click for larger image

Dream Sequence I
30 x 7 x 5 Inches 
cast concrete & metal armature
edition of 8
Frances Semple - Dream Sequence I - click for larger image

Dream Sequence I
30 x 7 x 5 Inches 
bronze
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Dream Sequence I - side - click for larger image

Dream Sequence I - side
30 x 7 x 5 Inches 
bronze
edition of 9
Frances Semple - Desire for Wings - click for larger image

Desire for Wings
19 x 11 x 8 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
$1,800
Frances Semple - Desire for Wings (sideview) - click for larger image

Desire for Wings (sideview)
19 x 11 x 8 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
Frances Semple - Desire for Wings - click for larger image

Desire for Wings
19 x 11 x 8 Inches 
polymer/gypsum
Frances Semple - Study III - detail - click for larger image

Study III - detail
55 x 13.25 x 13.25 Inches 
polymer gypsum & metal base
$3,500
Frances Semple - Study III - click for larger image

Study III
55 x 13.25 x 13.25 Inches 
polymer gypsum & metal base
$3,500
(ed.of 9)
Please email the gallery to view more works by Frances Semple.


Biography
Frances Semple was born in Scotland in 1956, and grew up in Brampton, Ontario.

She studied sculpture and mould making at Ontario College of Art in Toronto, as well as studies in Florence, Italy and Edinburgh, Scotland.  After college, Frances worked as a scenic painter with the Canadian Opera Company and the film industry while maintaining a studio to continue her sculpture.  

In 1989, she moved to Vancouver to focus on her career as a freelance artist.

As a sculptor Frances works with the human form finding a never ending source of inspiration.  She has experimented with different materials over the years, from working with paper and wire to her current medium - concrete and welded metal.

Frances currently lives in Victoria BC.



Education
1995-96  Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Vancouver, BC; industrial design, photography, printmaking
1979-82  Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, ON
1977  Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland
1976  Ontario College of Art; Florence, Italy- student exchange
1975-77  Ontario College of Art, Toronto, ON


Solo Exhibitions
2008     Winchester Galleries, Victoria BC
2004     Sunshine Coast Arts Center, Sechelt, BC
2002     Xchanges,Victoria, BC
1992     Glass Slipper Jazz Bar, Vancouver, BC
1990/91   Paper Ya, Vancouver, BC


Group Exhibitions
2010       Semple & Stockbrideg: Figure and Ground, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2007       SOFA Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; represented by Sculpturesite Gallery
2007       Form and Forum, Coquitlam, BC
2006       E3 Gallery, New York, NY
2006       On Canvas Gallery, Victoria, BC
2005       Sculpturesite, San Francisco, CA
2004       New Leaf Gallery, Berkeley, CA
2004       Sunshine Coast Arts Center, Sechelt, BC
2003       Fran Willis Gallery, Victoria, BC; a collaborative performance and art exhibit
2002       Vancouver International Airport, Vancouver, BC
2002       Victoria Community Arts Council, Victoria, BC
2002       Xchanges, Victoria, BC
2001       Xchanges, Victoria BC
2001       BC Festival of the Arts, Fort St John, BC
2001       Victoria Community Arts Council, Victoria, BC
2001       Annual Juried Exhibit, BC, Canada - Award of Excellence
1991       Ontario Craft’s Council, Toronto, Ont., Canada
1990       Surrey Art Gallery : “Functional Art”, Surrey, BC
1990       Canadian Craft Museum: “ Made by Hand” Vancouver, BC
1990       Provenance, Calgary, AB


Media Coverage
2004       Coast Cable 11 - Arts Review - television interview
2003       CH TV– Go Magazine – television interview
2002       Victoria News: Arts and Entertainment w/ Ingrid Paulsen
2002       Shaw Cable - television interview
1992       Country Homes Magazine
1991       Interiors and Architectural Magazine,
1991       Playboard Magazine
1990       Vancouver Sun, Saturday Review w/ Ann Rosenburg
1990       Western Living Magazine
1990       Homes and Ideas Magazine: featured artist
1990       CBC Art Beat - radio interview,


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