Page 42 - Studio International - September 1966

On figuration and the narrative in art

statements by Howard Hodgkin, Patrick Hughes, Patrick Procktor, and Norman Toynton

This spring four painters, Howard Hodgkin, Patrick Howard Hodgkin
Hughes, Patrick Procktor, and Norman Toynton, gathered Figurative painting is about a specific experience involv-
at the Institute of Contemporary Arts under the chair- ing the figure. The most complete expression of such a
manship of Robert Hughes to discuss the implications of subject would not necessarily involve description. Nor
figuration and the narrative in art. The following points would it require the use of one kind of language rather
were used as suggestions for the discussion : than another. The self-sufficient language of Poussin,
which was entirely derivative in its separate elements and
What does figuration imply: the use of the figure and thus had meaning for an audience aware of his sources, is
recognizable objects? now the prerogative of abstract painters—figurative
painters having lapsed, or been forced into, a kind of
What is the difference between figuration, representa- plastic egotism. The difference between abstract painting
tion and realism? or, more specifically, between new and figurative painting need not be a physical one.
figuration and new realism? Matisse wrote : 'A work of art must carry in itself its
complete significance and impose it upon the beholder
Is junk sculpture figurative in so far as it contains even before he can identify the subject matter. When I
recognizable objects ? see the Giotto frescoes at Padua I do not trouble to
recognise which scene of the Life of Christ I have before
Are Dubuffet's Texturologies figurative ? Why, or why me, but I perceive instantly the sentiment which radiates
not? from it and which is instinct in every line and colour. The
title will serve only to confirm my impression.'
q
Is Gorky figurative? Is Pollock? Are the non-repre-
sentational de Koonings figurative?

Other meanings of the term 'figure' : e.g. Ellsworth
Kelly works within the idiom of figure/ground relation-
ships. What does figure imply in this context?

Is figuration always narrative? When is it not?

Can one have narrative in relation to abstract paintings
or sculpture?

If one starts with a narrative figurative idea, like Alan
Davie, and the finished painting is nothing if not abstract,
can one still apply the terms 'narrative' and 'figurative'
to it?

Who are the artists throughout history who have used
figuration as a vehicle for narrative and who have been
Howard Hodgkin
an influence on present-day developments?
Mrs. C. 1964-66
Oil on canvas
What are developments in figuration and the narrative 20 x 24 in.
likely to be in the next ten years?
Patrick Hughes
Since a number of very interesting issues emerged I Why I am a figurative artist, and what kind of figurative
asked each of the four speakers to write down a personal artist I am, with reference to my favourite figurative
statement on this theme, with reference to what had been artist, and to narration—if that can be bent to. mean
discussed. There was no attempt to make a tape record- `meaning' :
ing, but the following statements give the principal At the symposium on narration and figuration at the
directions that the symposium assumed. ICA on March 8, 1966, someone defined figuration as
Jasia Reichardt q `holding up the mirror to nature'. I accepted this defini-
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