Natalie Frank

Nathalie Frank, born in Austin, Texas, in 1980, has developed a richly nuanced artistic practice that merges figuration and abstraction. She completed her education at Columbia University’s School of the Arts in New York in 2006, where her distinct style began to emerge. Frank’s work explores the intricate dialogue between the physical and the spiritual, as well as the complex interplay of nostalgia and desire, disgust and allure.

Drawing inspiration from the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and childhood literature, she also looks to artists such as Chris Ofili, Mike Kelley, and Robert Gober as influential figures. In her creative process, Frank strives to detach from the act of painting, allowing her mind to recede and thus attain a complete mental freedom. This approach results in a complex, yet surprisingly cohesive iconography that characterizes her unique vision and style.

One of her notable works, The Hangman (2007), encapsulates her artistic universe. This layered and intense piece showcases a vibrant interplay of colors and varied brushwork, where different objects within the composition are held together by a seemingly discordant yet virtuous perspective. Frank’s ability to create a personal and imaginative world makes her one of the most compelling figures in contemporary figurative art.