Self-Portrait 1973

Editor: This is Sam Francis' "Self-Portrait" from 1973, rendered in charcoal, seemingly also as a print. The composition is very chaotic and intense; the face is almost dissolving into abstraction. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s tempting to view this work through the lens of Abstract Expressionism and ideas about subjective experience, but I am struck by Francis's use of materials, and how the print-making process allows for a unique form of replication and distribution. Notice the pooling and splattering of ink or charcoal – seemingly spontaneous but entirely controlled by the artist and the printing technique. Editor: So, you're suggesting it's less about the 'self' and more about the making of the 'self-portrait?' Curator: Precisely! The work is more about the tension between control and chance, a characteristic often explored by Francis. Think about how mass production intersects with the concept of individual identity here, a play with consumption as well. Editor: How does the material speak to the idea of a "self-portrait," if that makes sense? Curator: The use of charcoal, a readily available and inexpensive material, challenges traditional notions of artistic value tied to precious materials. Could we consider that Francis used of everyday materials democratizes the process of self-representation? Editor: That’s fascinating; it almost suggests the self is constructed, rather than purely innate. A readily available, reproduced image of the artist as if consumed and distributed like many goods. Curator: Exactly. It's about questioning what makes a portrait, and even questioning the value placed on the artist's hand, versus the process. I'm wondering about Francis' choices… Editor: This changed my perspective of how to interpret abstract self-portraits. I've also never considered a print to be something related to "everyday" consumption. Thanks!