Francoise Gilot-Salk By Aurélia Engel
French-born Françoise Gilot-Salk is a highly regarded international artist exhibited in the major art centers of Europe, North America, and Japan. A bridge between the School of Paris and the contemporary American art scene, her creativity took a sharp turn when she married Dr. Jonas Salk (credited for discovering the Polio vaccination) in 1970 and moved to La Jolla. The bright San Diego light took her from nuanced in-Pasto to flat surfaces of bold colors, while the Californian dynamism and majestic nature set her creations in motions- even landscapes seemed to be dancing. Her works are featured in the permanent collections of numerous museums including the Metropolitan Museum, New York and the Centre Pompidou, Paris. Naturally, the talented Gilot has not slowed down since celebrating her 90th birthday in 2011. After Acatos published FRANÇOISE GILOT OEUVRES WORKS 1985-2010 in 2011-12 alone, she’s exhibited at the Gagosian Gallery, New York, among others. Gilot was commissioned by the American Ballet Theatre to create the backdrop for Marcello Gomez’ AfterEffect, performed in 2015 at the Met. Dedicated to helping the Salk Institute, Gilot is the Honorary Chair of Symphony at the Salk and gives the poster’s image every year. Gilot is also the author of several books including Life With Picasso, Interface: The Painter and the Mask, and Matisse and Picasso: A Friendship in Art. Last August, Gilot and co-author Lisa Althers signed their witty-moving book, About Women at the Colas Engel Fine Arts gallery that represents Gilot in North Park, San Diego. ColasEngelFineArts.com
Photographer: Colas Engel
the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz Museum, Germany and the Oceanside Museum
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May 2017 | La Jolla Lifestyle
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