Artist Spotlight: Francis Hines

Artist Spotlight: Francis Hines

  • Artist Spotlight
  • CT Artist
  • mattatuck museum
  • Painting

WHO: Francis Hines, curated by Jared Whipple and Peter Hastings Falk
WHAT: Discovering New York’s Wrapper: The Art of Francis Hines
WHEN: September 26, 2021 – November 21, 2021
WHERE: Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702
WEB: https://www.mattmuseum.org

Wholesale Frame Co. is proud to frame works by artist Francis Hines. They will be on display at the Mattatuck Museum as part of the exhibition “Discovering New York’s Wrapper: The Art of Francis Hines“ this Fall. As inspiration to visit the exhibition and museum, I am going to dedicate this issue’s Artist Spotlight to Francis Hines and his long but mostly forgotten career in the arts.

The satisfaction of a business that works with artists, museums and curators is seeing all the work that comes through the door. It’s unpredictable and always interesting. In this case, art historian and publisher Peter Hastings Falk was looking to frame some long-forgotten works by Francis Hines. After speaking with Peter, I read the story of Jared Whipple’s unexpected and nearly missed discovery in 2017. An extended version of the tale by Peter Hastings Falk can be found on discoveriesinamericanart.com when you search “Francis Hines”.

Francis Hines.2

Francis Hines lived in Connecticut for periods of time, even working as chief commercial artist at the iconic G. Fox & Co in Hartford during its prime. However, Hines was a New York artist through and through.  It’s where he summoned his energy and creative spirit. He was extremely prolific and although recognized at times for his work, he was not after the fame or glory. In a culminating experience and artistic benchmark, Hines wrapped the Washington Square Arch in New York City in 1980. Yes, literally wrapped the arch in polyester fabric and tied it down for a week. His mark on American art was forever sealed. While working on the piece he said
“I knew it would be conceptually successful, but I’m not a conceptual artist. I knew that being conceptually successful was not going to be enough…”
From my point of view, as an observer many years later and new to his work, it is hard to see him as anything other than a conceptual artist. It is the common thread that weaves his work together.  From sculpture to prints, photography, drawings, and paintings, he was an artist moving fluidly through different mediums scratching at the conceptual heart of his ideas. In fact he put the concept together beautifully himself.
“When you entrap energy there is a static quality that occurs. Within that static quality there is a tension coming from that object that is being bound, and by the binding itself creating tension — and all of the energy occurs within that tension.”

Pure form and aesthetic, without concept, hold little weight and often disappear with the artists themselves who fall into obscurity forever.  What gave Hines his resurrection many years later, is the tension of energy flowing throughout his work. In fact, it’s important to note why in this specific moment in time, Hines’ work has particular power.  He was inspired by the abandoned. He wrapped condemned buildings, highways ready for demolition and even salvaged cars.  After a couple of tumultuous years, we are again revisiting the abandoned, looking to reinvent and reimagine. Skyscrapers in New York once filled with workers are still sitting empty.  It is precisely Hines’ vision that we need right now to capture the energy and spirit they once had. Perhaps it’s also time to give them a makeover and reconsider some of the spaces we once deemed critical to success. 

If you have the energy, get back into your local museums and galleries.  You don’t need to go far to experience culture, creativity and connection.  This show opens at the Mattatuck Museum on September 26.  There is lots more to see there and you never know what might resonate and change the course of your day, week, or year. 

Also, if you do go and want to drop us a line with your take on the exhibition, I am hoping to do a follow up article after having seen the show myself. 

An extended version of the tale by Peter Hastings Falk can be found on discoveriesinamericanart.com

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