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Wednesday, June 21, 2023

French Institute Alliance Française Tells Whom You Know: A TRIBUTE Françoise Gilot (1921–2023)

A TRIBUTE

Françoise Gilot (1921–2023)

FIAF was saddened to learn last week of the death of renowned French artist Françoise Gilot.

Françoise Gilot's remarkable life and artistic contributions have left an indelible mark on the world. As an artist, her style was recognizable: her use of vibrant colors, bold brushstrokes, and a unique blend of abstraction and figuration were her signature. Her paintings and sculptures captivated viewers with their emotional depth and introspective narratives. Beyond her artistic pursuits, Françoise Gilot was also a fierce advocate for women's rights and an inspiring figure of resilience and independence. She was the mother of Claude Pierre Picasso, Paloma Picasso, and Aurélia Engel.

To FIAF, she was a consistent beacon of kindness and generosity, donating art for auctions and sharing her most recent artistic endeavors with our audiences. You may have met Françoise through the years at the numerous FIAF events she attended. We were able to honor her artistic contributions in 2015 as the Trophée des Arts recipient, and most recently in 2021, celebrating her 100th birthday with a screening and conversation with her daughters Paloma and Aurélia. We have been truly honored to have her as part of the FIAF family.

For Tatyana Franck, President of FIAF, Françoise Gilot was “une grande dame and a beautiful mind, the incarnation of freedom. As she used to say, « la place qu’on a, c’est la place qu’on se fait. Il faut avoir du courage dans la vie ». Her legacy will continue to inspire generations. Françoise Gilot will be deeply missed but forever remembered. Merci Françoise”.

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