Alison Claire France and Visual Communication
MARK WALTER writes: I recently had the chance to interview Alison Claire France about her upcoming exhibition at The Rogue Gallery in St Leonards. We talked about her early artistic influences and processes, and how her deafness has heightened her visual awareness.
Alison, what were your early artistic influences and what artists have you been influenced by?
My family influenced my passion for art, especially two aunts. They nurtured my artistic interests and encouraged my creativity. While raising my daughters single-handedly, I took a temporary break from art to focus on parental responsibilities. As they grew more independent, my passion for art was rekindled and I found liberation and rejuvenation. The works of Nalani Malani, William Kentridge, and Nancy Spero have deeply influenced me with their themes of diaspora, belonging, and violence. Drawing from their unique perspectives and techniques, I express my emotions and experiences, creating artwork that resonates with the audience.
You have lived in different countries. Could you tell me a bit more about how that has affected you and your art, and how long you have lived in the local area?
Living in different countries has had a transformative impact on both my personal life and art. Frequent relocations due to my father’s job exposed me to diverse cultures and landscapes worldwide, shaping my artistic style and perspectives. From Australia to England, then South Africa, I gained a deeper understanding of various traditions and ways of life. My international exposure, however, sparked a longing to connect with my British roots, influenced by captivating stories from my great-aunt from British folklore and mythology.
Studying art history, particularly the Italian Renaissance at the University of Queensland, left a lasting impression on my creative process. Renaissance artists’ techniques and expressions, with their sense of timeless beauty and craftsmanship, continue to inspire my work. As I delved into the artistic wonders of Europe, I also discovered disturbing aspects of British art history, and was inspired to use my art to address deeper emotions and societal issues.
Now, living in St Leonards for the past four years, the calming presence of the sea has become a constant source of inspiration, infusing my artwork with serenity and fluidity.
What is your process, making mainly large works? Do you work in the gallery or is all your work done in the studio? And how has your practice developed over the previous years?
My preference for creating large works of art is influenced by the sense of freedom and unrestricted expression it allows during the process. Working on a grand scale may be challenging but is essential to my creative flow. I prefer to work spontaneously, tapping into my instincts and emotions to express myself freely on the canvas.
After a 20-year hiatus, reconnecting with my passion for art has revitalised my vision and provided a fresh perspective on my work. I currently work in my cold garage, where I can spread out and fully embrace the large canvases, bringing life and expression to my creations. Although I haven’t exhibited in galleries yet, it is my future aspiration. Presenting large-scale works in gallery settings would enhance the impact of my art, allowing viewers to experience the full magnitude of my expression. I also plan to create smaller-scale works for purchase.
I am eager to expand my art into commercial establishments with spacious settings. I aim to delve deeper into the impact of these large artworks on the wider public—other areas to explore are public spaces like subways and transport interchanges, engaging commuters with large paintings. Additionally, office and hotel buildings provide great opportunities for my work, encouraging viewers to pause, reflect, and contemplate issues like migration, climate change, the sense of belonging. My artistic process involves embracing spontaneity and the vast canvas space. Through this, I want to leave an indelible mark on the art world and connect with a broader audience.
In your biography you mention your deafness. How long have you been deaf and how do you think it has affected your work?
My profound deafness since birth hasn’t directly affected my artistic work. Art as a form of expression transcends physical barriers, speaking for itself regardless of an artist’s hearing ability. Despite being unable to hear, I feel no different from others. My heightened visual awareness compensates, allowing me to notice intricate details and evoke emotions through my art. And my deafness has empowered me to embrace visual communication, enabling profound connections with others. It has become integral to my artistic identity, enriching my perception and expression and proving that art can transcend barriers.
I see things differently and communicate visually. I understand emotions through body language and facial expressions. I embrace those who use gestures and movements to articulate their communications, such as in Italy and Spain. In Britain, I find people limit their visual expressions, recalling the notion of the ‘stiff upper lip’ mode of speaking, which I cannot understand. I also need light to be able to communicate, as in darkness I hear nothing, but sense movement.
Apart from the current exhibition coming up what are your plans regarding your art and future exhibitions?
I am grateful to the owner and director of the Rogue Gallery, who recognised my talent. Beyond this I have exciting aspirations for my artistic journey. I aim to participate in more exhibitions to showcase my work and shed light on experiences of migration, and on climate change. Through landscape and seascape art, I will continue to explore the diaspora theme and to advocate for environmental preservation. My art promotes inclusivity, bridges cultural boundaries, and raises awareness of pressing global challenges.
In the digital age, I want to encourage younger generations to be visually aware and connect with the world’s beauty. I actively seek art residencies to collaborate and enrich my artistic practice with diverse perspectives. My future revolves around exhibiting my art, focusing on meaningful themes, pursuing fine arts in a higher education setting, and seeking further opportunities through residencies and commissions to create a positive impact, to foster a deeper appreciation for art and our shared planet.
I plan to bring together the cultural influences of my upbringing in Australia, South Africa and the UK and combine my artworks into an animated format that can be projected onto buildings using large-scale presentations. I also want to see others who create music that can enhance my paintings and also present the way I ‘hear’ the world and for those who are hearing to understand what silence means for me.
Alison Claire France will exhibit at Rogue Gallery, 65 Norman Road St. Leonards, from 11 to 27 August 2023.
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