Sean T French - BIO

"Armor is somehow historical and futuristic. It has been created for millennia and appears in countless paintings and sculpture throughout art history It is protective, defensive… but we “All wear our own armor" we forge it through life and should wear it proudly.

This metaphorical concept is behind almost all of my pieces. I attempt to show different moments of this being expressed or a strength being displayed in forms and creatures wearing their armor.

Sean uses forging and casting techniques learned from decades of studying and creating historical armor that he turned into his unique style. Sculpting in many kinds of metal, utilizing the effect of light reflection on highly reflective finished surfaces formed by hand. The sculptures change with every shift of the light. Many of the pieces also have fire shooting systems integrated into the piece with programmed lighting.

Currently Sean is a full time metal sculpture focused on metal forming and casting and utilizing fire and lighting effects to create mainly creatures that portray mood & spirit. Sean shows regularly in the Arizona region with residency at Walter Studios and solo shows at the Ice House Gallery PHX. Some of French’s projects in addition to regular gallery shows; Owner-operator of austin.com (2006 -2012), Detail artist and BGs for “Victoria” T-Rex exhibit Arizona Science Museum, 2021 History Channel “Assembly Required” episode 1 winner of art challenge, 2021 Lead Artist on the Scottsdale Arts Canal Convergence “FLOOM” installation by Walter Productions. Other commercial art works have included; posters, albums, CD covers, illustrations for children’s educational books, web development/site design, branding/logos, etc. with many name corporate clients including American Airlines.

Sean T French, life long artist, Fine Art degree, University of Texas 1989, studied under artists Peter Saul, and Robert Yarber. Saul influenced Sean to paint large and to paint murals which he did for about a decade as “Wall Works” in Austin, Texas painting over 75 businesses including the now famous CURFEW club in Austin and received “Best of Austin” Award for “Best Mural 1994” for work in now famous Liberty Lunch music venue.

Currently he is working on a sculpture series and as entered many exhibits and won several awards in sculpture including the 2019 “Presidential” award for piece “Ancient Teacher”, Critic’s Choice 2019 Award from the Alwun House Foundation for the Arts. Also featured in the highly publicized “Art of Burning Man” exhibit in downtown Phoenix. French has pieces currently on display at the Walter Where?House Gallery, 9thegallery, and Walter Studio in Phoenix Arizona.

"Armor is somehow historical and futuristic. It has been created for millennia and appears in countless paintings and sculpture throughout art history. It is protective, defensive… not offensive. We speak of our metaphorical armor. Form following function, strengthening and beautifying the human form. My sculpture uses this as a style but attempts to take it to the next level in depicting creatures in a moment that express movement & emotion.

Sean uses forging and casting techniques in many kinds of metal, utilizing the effect of light reflection on highly reflective finished surfaces formed by hand. The sculptures change with every shift of the light. Many of the pieces also have fire shooting systems integrated into the piece with programmed lighting.