Posts by Francine Scialom Greenblatt

Louisa Walters chats to four women about the purpose and inspiration of their creativity for Jewish News Life Magazine.

Remembering the storming of the symbollic Bastille,  in 1789. This revolutionary moment sparked a chain of events which saw the dismantling of the prison fortress and final beheading of Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette in 1793 at the guillotine.

After a year of dour spectator-less sport, football and tennis have fuelled us to renewed euphoric heights. The nation seems gripped in football frenzy in anticipation of the England/Italy final on Sunday. Overnight, from not knowing the difference between a bat or a ball, I’ve become an irritating authority watching anxiously for offside or yellow card transgressions. Instagram live and newsletters have been shelved. Let’s hope for victory at Wembley…otherwise these may be delayed indefinitely…..

Preparing for Instagram Live. Looking at relationship between the Voyeur and the Figure

After a long winter, summer's light and warmth really lifts the spirit transforming my palette with bursts of colour.

Extending my interest both visually and as reference to the women's movement, the colour yellow has been a powerful magnetic force for me as we emerge from lockdown.

Last week on Instagram live, I discussed the relationship between Figuration and Abstraction in my practice and how it fed into current concerns.

The last year forced me to question lots of assumptions. Much to my embarrassment, an overwhelming flood of tears followed my first vaccine jab at Guys and St Thomas. I had not realised how much ‘stuff’ had been gurgling beneath the surface. It will probably take a long time to process so much emotion, if ever. 

The last year forced me to question lots of assumptions. Much to my embarrassment, an overwhelming flood of tears followed my first vaccine jab at Guys and St Thomas. I had not realised how much ‘stuff’ had been gurgling beneath the surface. It will probably take a long time to process so much emotion, if ever. 

Four 100x100cm works revisit the past and put new work in context.

Eschewing the figure, links figurative reference the body metaporically.

A round shape at the top of the composition seems to anthropologise the rectilinear geometry of this work. The lower red shape seems to burst onto the picture plane with futuristic vigour suggesting motion and panache to the rigour of the image.

Mimicking interpersonal relationships, slender linked shapes seem to cross the picture plane to venture into another's world.

This work is part of a trilogy, all recontextualising the significance of handcuffs.

This work refers to the voting system as specified in the press in anticipation of the final choice for a new flag. The title ‘None of the Above’ highlights the outcome of the whole endeavour, where commerce trumped the common voice.

South Africa was abuzz with pre-election brio and anticipation in 1994. Endless reports on TV and in the press filled our waking moments and conversations. Heady days.

We have just enjoyed a long Easter weekend – great time for chocolate eggs and cuddly bunnies, but actually, it’s a reminder of the testimony to the victory of good over evil. Passover, the week before, tells the story of the passage of a people from slavery to freedom. 

Yom Ha’Shoah or Remembrance Day beginning tomorrow, memorialises the death of 6 million Jews at the hands of the Nazis during World War II…..a lesson never to be forgotten.

In 1993 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 22^nd March as World Day for Water. Every year, we are reminded that water and sanitation are essential to social and environmental sustainability. Universally, Covid has forced us to reconsider hand hygiene, making us value water (this year’s theme) with new appreciation

Introducing land/seascapes to my practice, the title of this horizontal work suggests that the fundamental power of water/sea is a common imperative to our universal survival. It is not surprising that the first consideration space scientists search for as evidence of life, is the existence of water.

This work firmly attaches itself to the biblical narrative. Water is not only central to our physical needs, but it also nourishes our spiritual selves. I find it fascinating that metaphors for life itself, fertility, rebirth, purification or transcendence are shared by so many world religions.

The theme this year is ‘Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being’. It also fits into the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) which calls for the protection and revival of ecosystems around the world.

Apprehensive in anticipation of tonight's Live sharing on Instagram. What will I remember/forget to say????? Best to note ideas for consideration here.

Notwithstanding considerations of enormous commercial and subsequent monetisation (comparable to Christmas or Halloween), Mother’s Day is a moment to pause.   Parenting for me is the biggest challenge we share. Besides challenging physical requirements, the responsibility of establishing a moral compass and steering a child through rocky tumultuous terrains is a mammoth task - relentless and never ending. 

Never having smoked, I am fascinated by the ritual of smokers.....the sustained moment of pleasure for those who inhale seems to ritualise and mesmerise seductively. 

In celebration of International Women's Day on Monday 8^th, I plan to go live on Instagram. There are so many considerations, and so many pertinent paintings that I could speak about, I’m not sure where to start.

 With the advantage of digital space and as I don’t have this work in the studio, I thought it practical to speak about some issues here which address certain gender related preoccupations which are being re-evaluated and redefined passionately as never before.

On Reflection.

Abstract coloured spheres and circles in 'New Beginnings', created a visual space calling for a human presence in visual terms. Just as we have missed friends and family over the last year, the abstract image called to me for human intervention. By natural progression, three figures were superimposed.

New Beginnings.

We’ve all been challenged in ways never before imagined over the last year. The pandemic forced us to re-evaluate, re consider and reinvent ourselves to survive both personally and collectively.

This is a homage to the German Romantic landscape painter Caspar David Friedrich

Ideas of lives lived in this manifestation or any other manifestation, suggested by imaginary land/skyscape in two dimensional form.

work seen in winter light

In biblical terms, it is written that the Sun, Moon and Stars were created on this day.

Swirling drips and marks sweeping across the work allude to the fourth day of Creation.