Born in 1964, UK. Lives and works in Brighton, UK.

 

Fran Duncan is a British artist who uses alcohol inks in process based image making. Fran has spent countless hours exploring how the inks react to different surfaces, temperature, humidity, gravity, and each other, often behaving in surprising ways.

 

Applying a new ink on top of a previous one initiates a dance - a push and pull, not completely predictable. A collaboration and symbiosis between Fran and the ink, where it feels like the inks have a life and agenda of their own. Fran is responsive to the mesmerising movements, blending, spreading and interacting of the inks. There is an ongoing dialogue between artists hand and ink where serendipity unfolds. 

 

​Working with this medium offers her instant gratification, like breaking free into an explosion of delicious colour, shapes and textures. The paintings become symbolic of letting go. Fran's journey as an artist is deeply intertwined with her personal narrative of resilience and self-discovery. Despite encountering various challenges, including living with long term health conditions such as ME and scoliosis, Fran has held onto her deep rooted passion for painting. 

 

Over the past 10 years Fran has exhibited nationally and internationally. Including Parissa Gallery, Carmel, California and Jag Gallery, Brighton. In 2024 she was awarded the Arts Council England, Developing your Creative Practice grant to spend the year researching and developing her practice.

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"I've learned to let go of rigid control and allow my subconscious to guide me. When I embrace the uncertainty, and allow the inks to take me on a journey, wonderful things happen. Both on the paper and in my soul. It is like meditating. "