Francis Upritchard’s mythical figures appear suspended in time

New Zealand-born artist Francis Upritchard’s unusual figurative sculptures have an almost mythical aura about them. The crooked and hunched-over forms are draped in beautiful fabrics and cloaks and are created as stand alone figures and then often set up as groups in the surrounding white space of a gallery.

Francis’ models make multiple historical and contemporary references including medieval imagery, Egyptian-like forms and the use of rich woven materials influenced by north America and the Middle East. This collision of cultures and periods is an allusion to human nature and the idea that we’re all the same in the grand scheme of things.

The gestures and static poses of her sculptures are elegant yet unnerving, almost looking as though they’re reaching out to the viewer. When grouped together in neat rows, there’s a performative element to Francis’ sculptures, like they’re been suspended mid dance.

Her figures feel as though they belong to both the past and the future and this is emphasised by the mix of materials Francis uses to create her works. Combining natural and manmade media like steel, plastic, wire, cork, modelling clay and fabric, their origins could be from anywhere and this ambiguity adds to the fantastical quality of Francis’ works.