Tandem Totem, 1990
Lacquer on aluminum
Florida Southern College
Lakeland, FL
Fonchen Lord (1911-1993) was an abstract painter and sculptor in Lakeland, Florida from 1954-1993. Born in St. Louis and educated at Radcliffe, she painted more than 270 Abstract Expressionist, Op Art and Minimalist works, culminating in her unique folded metal paintings and sculptures.
Today, many of her works can be seen in museums, colleges, private collections and public places in Florida, mostly in Polk County.
Many works are available for loan to institutions, and full-size realizations of sculpture models can be commissioned.
“Fonchen Lord is a major force in Southern sculpture today,
...a colorist in the tradition of Op and Color Field Painting,”
(Gary Libby, MOAS, Daytona Beach, FL, 1988)
METAL WALL SCULPTURES
Four Fold #3, 1988
Urethane, Stainless Steel (East View)
*potential installation
at Lake Morton
Lakeland, FL
OP ART
“The creative process is an unstructured conversation between the painting and the mind of the artist”…”which allows expression of emotions and conflicts hidden in the subconscious.”
Fonchen found a “great freedom” in abstract art. During her Op Art Period, she explored the visual movement caused by repeating patterns and close proximity of primary colors. She was intrigued by illusions of three dimensions caused by variations of color saturations in adjacent planes. These works ultimately led to her third Minimalist Period of three-dimensional metal works.
SCULPTURES
ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM
In her Abstract Expressionist Period, Fonchen painted freely with broad, colorful brush strokes, creating a feeling of movement and depth on large 6 x 4 foot canvases.
For additional energy, she listened to energetic and dissonant orchestral music of modern composers Bartok, Stravinsky and others. As she began to paint more defined edges and larger forms, it led her into her Op Art Period.
EXHIBITIONS
Standing Fold #6, 1982
Stainless Steel
Florida Southern College
Lakeland, FL
Standing Fold #6, 1982
Fonchen Lord Art
Contact: William Lord | 305. .804 8320 | wmlord@bellsouth.net