In a fascinating shift within the art world, contemporary painters are reimagining the role of frames, propelling them into the spotlight as they explore innovative ways to challenge traditional painting boundaries. This trend, dubbed “Bordercore,” signifies a departure from conventional framing practices, with frames now becoming an integral part of artistic expression.
Typically overlooked, frames have historically served a secondary role—merely surrounding the artwork without drawing attention. However, a visit to today’s art galleries reveals a newfound emphasis on frames as distinct, expressive elements. These unconventional frames are capturing the art community’s attention, as they diverge from the norm with their whimsical and bold designs.
Katie White, a writer and editor at Artnet, highlighted this trend in her article “Bordercore: Why Frames Became the New Frontier in Contemporary Art.” She describes how contemporary artists are redesigning frames to play a central role, making them surreal, sculptural, and symbolic. This evolution is both an homage to traditional craftsmanship and a reaction against the digital age’s flatness. With this shift, statement frames are making a comeback at exhibitions and fairs, challenging the long-standing preference for frameless displays.
For prior generations, frames were seen as potential distractions from the intellectual and aesthetic experience of the artwork. Yet, today’s artists are crafting frames that invite viewers to engage physically with the art, offering a tactile experience that draws them back into reality. In her essay, White delves into the historical evolution of framing and interviews contemporary painters to explore why they are now embracing what was once considered a peripheral element of their craft as a central feature.
Recently, White joined me on the Artnet podcast to discuss this burgeoning frontier in art. The conversation delved into why the once-marginal frame has now become a primary attraction for modern artists, reshaping the way we perceive and interact with paintings.
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