Jean Alexander Frater
artist
Jean Alexander Frater is a Chicago-based artist whose practice redefines the boundaries of painting by treating the canvas as both subject and medium. With a background in philosophy and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she brings conceptual rigour to her work, exploring the materiality of painting through acts of tearing, folding, and weaving. Her process transforms traditional canvases into sculptural forms, challenging conventional hierarchies in art and inviting viewers to engage with the tactile qualities of her creations. Rooted in experimentation, Frater’s work is deconstructive and dimensional, echoing both fibre art and minimalist abstraction. Through her innovative approach, she offers a fresh perspective on the possibilities within contemporary painting.
Location
Chicago
Email
jean@alexanderfrater.com
Website
alexanderfrater.com
Designeers Says
Jean Alexander Frater redefines painting by treating the canvas as a sculptural medium. Through tearing, folding, and weaving, she transforms flat surfaces into textured, dimensional works that challenge traditional hierarchies in art . Her process foregrounds the materiality of the canvas, inviting viewers to engage with the physicality and form of her creations.
Tactile Deconstructive Experimental
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Jean Alexander Frater on inspiring artists
“I’m consistently stunned by the boldness and architectural presence in the work of Katharina Grosse, as well as the texture and subject matter in Caroline Achaintre’s fibre paintings. What draws me to both artists is how they’ve carved out distinct, highly specific ways of making.”
