Man Eater, 1992, 25 h x 20.5 w x 13.5 d cms
Giraffe
Pig
Wednesday 29 January 2014
Friday 6 February 2009
Crafts Magazine July-Aug 1992
...in Frank Egerton's mirrors, boxes and automata there is always the echo of the fairground. In Topiary Mirror he has used particular incision to create the effect of a hedge surface, over which orange cats scamper with flowers held tight in their jaws. The pleasure one gets from experiencing his mythological world is always tempered by a slight unease at the presence of the unexpected.
Jeremy Theophilus
Jeremy Theophilus
Thursday 29 January 2009
Frank Egerton Obituary
Frank Egerton, maker and teacher, born 19 December 1942, Hyde, Cheshire, died, 19 September 2003, Liverpool, Merseyside.
Frank Egerton was an automatist with quite exceptional making skills. He worked with wood and metal in the area of figurative narrative - not an easy option, but one in which, with typical ironic humour, he revelled.
His early childhood was spent in what was formerly Rhodesia, and this was clearly an abiding influence, as lions, zebras and crocodiles all feature strongly in his work. He returned to England in 1957 and went to Audenshaw Grammer School in Manchester. During this time his father had a butcher's shop and his mother worked as a textile designer and painter. They holidayed in Blackpool,visiting the fairs, circus and infamous sideshows, a visual experience which would feed the imagery of his future work.
Egerton studied at Manchester College of Art in the 1960's and was Head of Foundation Studies at St Helens College of Art before setting up his first studio in 1975 at Appley Bridge, Wigan, Lanashire. He was appointed Artist in Residence at Drumcroon Arts Centre, Wigan in 1983 and spent seven years there prior to being appointed Course Leader in 3-Dimensional Design at Liverpool Hope University College, a position he held until early retirement through ill health in 2002. He was a true educator who always sought to bring out the best in every student, irrespective of their abilities. He was popular and highly respected by all who were fortunate to work with him or study under him.
As well as his African childhood, Egerton took his imagery from Tin Toys, the word of Lewis Carroll and his observations of everyday life. This love of rich imagery, combined with his sense of humour, emanates from his automata, which are also full of visual curiosity. His artist's statement on the Crafts Council Photostore website reads: 'To engender enjoyment and to make people smile,' which sums up his philosophy.
Egerton was never one accept what he could do comfortably, but strove constantly to break new personal barriers and set himself new challenges. In his later years he developed a real love of computer generated imagery, producing vibrant illustrations and a range of self-assembled card constructions entitled Cat Fairies and Dog Fairies. A Sense of Our Place,his final automaton and his largest (10 x 4m),was commissioned by the Bristol Health Care Trust and completed in 2001.
Egerton's life was cut short following a long illness and the world is a poorer place; it has lost an outstanding craftsman with exceptional talent who will be sadly missed. He made a lasting contribution to the lives of his family, friends, collectors and students. We were all enriched by his wit, satirical mind, observations of everyday life, but most importantly by his wicked sense of humour. He is survived by his wife Jan, and daughters, Ingrid, Rachel, Kate and Alice.
Alan Whitaker
Frank Egerton was an automatist with quite exceptional making skills. He worked with wood and metal in the area of figurative narrative - not an easy option, but one in which, with typical ironic humour, he revelled.
His early childhood was spent in what was formerly Rhodesia, and this was clearly an abiding influence, as lions, zebras and crocodiles all feature strongly in his work. He returned to England in 1957 and went to Audenshaw Grammer School in Manchester. During this time his father had a butcher's shop and his mother worked as a textile designer and painter. They holidayed in Blackpool,visiting the fairs, circus and infamous sideshows, a visual experience which would feed the imagery of his future work.
Egerton studied at Manchester College of Art in the 1960's and was Head of Foundation Studies at St Helens College of Art before setting up his first studio in 1975 at Appley Bridge, Wigan, Lanashire. He was appointed Artist in Residence at Drumcroon Arts Centre, Wigan in 1983 and spent seven years there prior to being appointed Course Leader in 3-Dimensional Design at Liverpool Hope University College, a position he held until early retirement through ill health in 2002. He was a true educator who always sought to bring out the best in every student, irrespective of their abilities. He was popular and highly respected by all who were fortunate to work with him or study under him.
As well as his African childhood, Egerton took his imagery from Tin Toys, the word of Lewis Carroll and his observations of everyday life. This love of rich imagery, combined with his sense of humour, emanates from his automata, which are also full of visual curiosity. His artist's statement on the Crafts Council Photostore website reads: 'To engender enjoyment and to make people smile,' which sums up his philosophy.
Egerton was never one accept what he could do comfortably, but strove constantly to break new personal barriers and set himself new challenges. In his later years he developed a real love of computer generated imagery, producing vibrant illustrations and a range of self-assembled card constructions entitled Cat Fairies and Dog Fairies. A Sense of Our Place,his final automaton and his largest (10 x 4m),was commissioned by the Bristol Health Care Trust and completed in 2001.
Egerton's life was cut short following a long illness and the world is a poorer place; it has lost an outstanding craftsman with exceptional talent who will be sadly missed. He made a lasting contribution to the lives of his family, friends, collectors and students. We were all enriched by his wit, satirical mind, observations of everyday life, but most importantly by his wicked sense of humour. He is survived by his wife Jan, and daughters, Ingrid, Rachel, Kate and Alice.
Alan Whitaker
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