“Art demands depth, meaning and emotion. It is the emotive and expressive artwork that I feel most satisfied creating.”
Artist and picture framer Grace Herrmann is wise beyond her years at only 22. Growing up in a family whose profession revolves around medicine and scientific research, Grace says that perfection and accuracy come naturally to her. By applying precision methods and techniques she carefully plans, maps and prepares her subject before working her magic.
Finding a balance between expression and perfectionism, Grace has spent the last 18 months working on her own series in parallel with her framing apprenticeship. Her first solo Exhibition at Woolloongabba Art Gallery will feature all her own pieces where she has used different mediums of paper carving, woodcarving, gold leaf gilding and oil painting to create textural, decadent images.
Expressing the skills (and vocabulary) of a seasoned professional, Grace told me a little about her profession and how she's come so far so quickly.
When did you start picture framing?
I started picture framing in mid 2012.
Why did you start?
One of my drawings was shortlisted for the Marie Ells Drawing Prize. I did what many artists have done at the last minute and took a trip down to Ikea for a cheap frame; and only two weeks before the show it had started to warp and come apart at the corners. I called around to different framers and got onto Erin (my now employer and friend) at Artis Pura. She gave me quite the lecture on conservation framing and I soon recognised there was a lot more to this framing business than meets the eye. So I started coming in and interning 3 days a week. I found it was a really great education and very compatible with my own artist practice, so I then went on to do my apprenticeship, and I just qualified in February of this year.
What do you frame?
You would be surprised at what you can frame! We once had a request to frame a pineapple. We get a lot of artists through, which is great, being an artist I like being apart of the finishing process. A highlight has been framing a couple of Banksy screen prints.
Explain the relationship between a frame and its artwork?
Not all artworks need a frame, but often it can be the difference between an artwork looking incomplete and haphazard looking, to looking finished and professional. Framing something properly means that you respect it.
A frame also acts as a protective barrier to the outside elements. However some frames can be the thing that damages the work. I recommend asking your framer about conservation, that way you can avoid fading, acid burns and lord forbid any gluing down!
Learning to frame has been the best thing I could do for my artist practice. I am able to think about creating a framed artwork that works as an entity. In my case sometimes the frame comes before the artwork. I have just finished my first major carved frame as well as doing the painting to go inside it.
Do you dabble in any other forms of art?
My first love is drawing but I also work quite a lot in oil painting. At the moment I have been engrossed in carving. My solo exhibition is going to be a combination of the many different mediums I have learnt so far. I have combined paper relief carving, wood carving, oil paintings and gold leaf gilding to create decadent, textural images.
How did you score a solo exhibition? Are you excited?
Artis Pura rents its space off Woolloongabba Art Gallery. I have been very lucky to be able to work in close proximity with the gallery and often I lend a hand when they need. I have had a group show with the other women associated with the gallery and it was a great experience. I am very thankful to Robert Mercer, the owner of WAG for letting me have the space. Makes the show all the more special to have it with them.
What are your fav mediums to work with or art to frame?
I love framing anything that lends itself to creative design. I framed a signed piece of silk by fashion designer Akira Isogawa for a client who was getting a dress made by him; Erin and I were able to join forces, she did ornate gold leaf gilded moulds on the corners of the frame and I replicated the design of the fabric into a carved boarder. Our client loved it so much she showed it to him and he loved it as well! It was very satisfying.
Grace's exhibition will be held at the Woolloongabba Art Gallery September 2-13.
