Andrew Scott – Framework Art

We all know that the frames surrounding a drawing or painting can be an artwork in their own right, from the ornateness of the past to the clean lines of today.

We have shown you a number of works by our own Blog team member, John ”Rowdy” Wylie. John is not only talented in painting, but he has the meticulous wood working skills to make his own frames as well! He instinctively knows just what width, timber, and colour will best highlight his latest painting.

Today we meet an American artist, Andrew Scott, whose art is all about incorporating the frame. The frame, the mounting and sometimes the glass as well, are a part of the picture......

It’s probably best for you to see it for yourself, and hear Andrew describe the motivation for his art .......

Isn’t his work mesmerising ! What a wonderful imagination he must have!

Andrew was born in 1991, and was always drawing in every spare moment as a child. However, he decided that there was no money in art, and went to university to study writing. He worked as an advertising copywriter for 10 years, but was never happy in that role.

He lost his job during the COVID pandemic, and turned back to art. It took him three or four years to find his unique style of blending realism with imagination in what he called his framework experiments.

Now he is in his mid-thirties and has really found his niche. It is certainly a style and ethos that provides him with endless ideas.

Andrew does the very realistic drawings of people and children. He said in a recent interview with Museum Week magazine:

“I have two primary guiding principles as an artist:

• There needs to be a visual plot twist (whether that’s altering the frame subverting a symbol or juxtaposing two similar but very different things).

• It needs to be simple."

"Simplicity is so important to me. It’s why I don’t draw backgrounds or use many colors. I want to strip out all the unnecessary elements needed to communicate. Just like in writing. You start with a long-winded sentence and then strip out all the fluff until just the essential elements for communication remain. That’s how I approach my work.” 1

You might like to read more of that interview by clicking the bookmark below:

Andrew Scott, the artist that breaks the fourth wall
Andrew Scott, conceptual artist from the United States. Photo © Courtesy…

There are more examples of his work in the following 3 minute video.....

What do you think? Do you like it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

If you would like to see more of Andrew’s work you can visit his Facebook or Instagram page, or you can go to his website to see examples of his latest exhibition Frame of Mind, click here. Andrew is also represented by the Stowe Gallery and holds regular exhibitions sponsored by them.

Footnotes

  1. With thanks to Museum Week magazine.