It’s been a while since I checked in on the street / gallery artist Brandon Sines. He grew up in Toronto then he created Frank Ape. Frank was dubbed the “Psychedelic Yeti” by his tony admirers when I wrote about it in 2016. Ten years later I got an urge to see and hear more about this dynamic duo — who is the master of whom — or are they equals in life and art? Since Frank says little, I spoke to Sines for this update (they’re having an exhibit at Cycol Gallery in New York on May 1).
(All images courtesy Brandon Sines, copyright Frank Ape)
Seems like Frank Ape has ventured out further into the world since last we spoke. How has Frank grown into his current role?
Yes, that is true. When we last spoke about 10 years ago, Frank was becoming known through street art that often paid homage to pop-culture icons while including my own heartfelt and idiosyncratic twist.
Since then, Frank’s voice has grown into something bigger. He has become a kind of beacon that represents honesty and putting our best foot forward, while still keeping that same heartfelt and quirky energy. New York City is also very much part of Frank’s DNA.
I have been lucky to expand that message through collaborations and projects, including a global collaboration with Gap a few years ago. What has been most rewarding is seeing people around the world connect through the character.
At a certain point I realized Frank no longer was just an extension of me. People began to see themselves in Frank, and that is when something really special started to happen.
What have you been doing over the past five years to make Frank more of a “brand”?
Frank becoming a brand was never really the goal. I think it happened naturally because the character is recognizable and because the message behind him has remained genuine and consistent. People can feel when something is honest.
Being an artist with a character that evolves into a brand requires balance. In the studio the work is very personal. When I am painting or creating something new I try to keep the outside world out of my head.
But when you work with brands or create public projects it becomes a conversation. You have to be more open and collaborative.
In a way, the studio protects the soul of the work, and the collaborations allow the message to travel further.
How’s he been faring?
It is a rollercoaster, as I am sure you know. But when I look at the bigger picture, the trajectory has definitely been upward.
Frank feels like a character who still has a lot of life ahead of him. I see his world continuing to expand into animation, film and books.
From the beginning, Frank existed beyond a single medium.
What is your goal for the May 1 exhibition? And for Frank Ape in general?
My biggest hope is that people leave the exhibition feeling a sense of wonder, joy and inspiration. If someone walks out with a smile on their face, then I feel like I have done my job.
At the same time I have really been pushing myself technically in the studio. I hope people connect with the new work, which is meant to be a reflection of all of us, both literally and figuratively. That idea is where the title Let’s Be Frank comes from.
The show is curated as a cohesive whole, but it is also divided into sections that guide visitors through the space almost like a journey. The final gallery is a site-specific immersive installation that invites people to think about how their actions and ideas shape their life experience.
As for Frank’s future, the sky is the limit. I want to keep telling stories, creating new work, building connections and making objects that people can bring into their everyday lives.
Will Frank acquire any ancillary characters? A wife? Kid? Pet?
The other characters in Frank’s universe have been a little quieter recently because I have been focused on preparing this show.
But they have been there since the very beginning. There is Sally, an ape similar to Frank who has long red hair, their orange squish-faced cat named Spaghetti, and Dog.
Over the years many other characters have appeared, as well. They tend to show up naturally while I am working in the studio, almost like they are waiting for the right moment to enter the story.
When I created a character deck from my favorite cameo appearances over the years for an animated universe, there were close to 100 different characters. The world around Frank is much bigger than people might realize.
Do you have plans for continuing, or ending, Frank, in an existential way?
I hope Frank lives on long after I am gone.
As long as people continue to connect with the character and the stories around him, I think Frank has the potential to be timeless.
In many ways Frank acts like a mirror. He pulls ideas from the past while reflecting the present moment.
Photo: Charlie Rubin
Are you working on other projects, or is Frank Ape your mainstay?
Right now I am very focused on bringing Frank to life in as many ways as possible. The character gives me the freedom to explore almost anything I am curious about.
Because Frank can exist in many mediums, I am constantly learning something new and pushing myself creatively. I try to follow whatever direction feels the most exciting in the studio.
One thing I have noticed over the years is that when I feel genuinely excited about something, people respond to that energy.
There is something contagious about enthusiasm. Audiences can sense when the work is coming from a real place.
The post The Daily Heller: Update on Frank Ape With Brandon Sines appeared first on PRINT Magazine.