Francois Robert
STOP THE VIOLENCE
SHERRY LEEDY CONTEMPORARY ART
“Somehow I had a feeling I was on to something special after I finished the first photo/installation which was the “Swastika”. I had a major chill in my spine.”
- Francois Robert
In his series of photographs, Stop the Violence, internationally known photographer, Francois Robert decontextualizes the human skeleton to say something very powerful about our world.
In the mid-1990’s during an auction at an old school, Francois purchased 3 metal lockers and found to his surprise that one of them held a real, full size articulated skeleton. Over time, he began to explore the idea of disassembling the skeleton and rearranging the bones, and from the process came the powerful series Stop the Violence.
Francois has said of this work, “These images show conflict, aggression, suffering, and devastation. These images also suggest an aftermath, therefore functioning as a warning. My hope is that they provide a cautionary moment of pause, a moment when our minds recognize the history and significance of these symbols, resonating long after viewing. I intend the images to plant in the heart the notions of charity and restraint in effort to promote tolerance and peace.”
This series resulted in the 2009 nomination of Francois Robert for the International Photographer of the Year Award (Lucie Awards). He was the “Overall Winner” in the Fine Arts Category. Books by Robert include Faces (Chronicle, 2000) and Face-to-Face (Lars Mueller, Switzerland, 1995). His most recent book is CROSSES published by Graphis. Some of Robert’s clients include Crate & Barrel, Coca-Cola, Chicago Board of Trade, BP Herman Miller, Polaroid Corporation, Western Union and Yale Medical School. This is his first solo exhibition at Sherry Leedy Contemporary Art. 2.
x 22”
Hammer and Sickle
Swastika Photography 28” x 22” 18.
Kalashniko Photography
x 28”
Grenade
Photography 28” x 22” 24.
Skull and Bones
x 22”
Photography
Crescent Star
Fighter Jet Photography
x 22”
