Francis Upritchard
APT8
Born 1976, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Lives and works in London, UK
Francis Upritchard's five spectacular figurative sculptural works shown in APT8 reference a variety of cultural and temporal influences that capture the movements of a theatrical war dance. Upritchard draws on street performance traditions dating from the time of court actors and jester troupes, as well as Renaissance sculpture and a group of combatants in the Bayeux tapestry. The figures deliberately tread a line between reality and fantasy: less than life-size, captured in elaborate poses with ungainly limbs and half-closed eyes, and standing on carefully designed plinths, they resemble marionettes absorbed in their own world. Upritchard's aesthetic is one of the handmade, reclaimed and recycled. Her figures, made from polymer modelling clay pressed over wire armatures, wear billowing white shirts and grey knitted chain mail. Enigmatic and detached, they act in an undisclosed play or masquerade.
![Francis Upritchard / Aotearoa/New Zealand/UK b.1976 / Action (detail) 2015 / Polymer plastic, fabric and shell buttons over steel wire, on steel base A sculptural work depicting a man with rubbery features; he wears white and appears to be dancing.](/system/files/styles/wide/private/object-images/francis_source.jpg?itok=19mWGlgQ)
![© Francis Upritchard Artwork Action this artwork made of Polymer plastic, fabric and shell buttons over steel wire, on steel base, created in 2015-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2015.018a-b_001.jpg?itok=--0h6MVr)
Action 2015
- UPRITCHARD, Francis - Creator
![© Francis Upritchard Artwork Bearer this artwork made of Polymer plastic, fabric, wire, leather and synthetic hair over steel wire, on steel base, created in 2012-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2014.396a-b_001.jpg?itok=1vbjCeyg)
Bearer 2012
- UPRITCHARD, Francis - Creator
![© Francis Upritchard Artwork Rider this artwork made of Polymer plastic, fabric, leather and shell buttons over steel wire, on steel base, created in 2012-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2014.397a-b_001.jpg?itok=GRzsZ4Nx)
Rider 2012
- UPRITCHARD, Francis - Creator
![© Francis Upritchard Artwork Run this artwork made of Polymer plastic, fabric, paint, chicken feathers and synthetic hair over steel wire, on steel base, created in 2012-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2014.398a-b_001.jpg?itok=Yop_CeiC)
Run 2012
- UPRITCHARD, Francis - Creator
![© Francis Upritchard Artwork White knight this artwork made of Polymer plastic, fabric, leather and shell buttons over steel wire, on steel base, created in 2012-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2024-04/2014.399a-b_001.jpg?itok=FLsN_52G)
White knight 2012
- UPRITCHARD, Francis - Creator