by Dan Perkins

Francesca Lalanne likes to focus on the transformative nature of things; and her art reflects attempts to grasp the meaning of changes in her own life and the world around her.  Lalanne told diversityinbusiness.com that she develops art to explore personal matters that happen to have universal application.

For the Collabo exhibit, Lalanne created a series of paintings that were made by applying oil, stain and ink onto wooden slabs.  The series, entitled METANOLA, explores the evolution of an idea. 

In the Collabo brochure, Lalanne states, "We all believe in many things; however, it is often difficult to follow through because we must eat and survive.  Nonetheless, there are some who just can't get enough.  One is never satisfied. Because of this self-indulgence, we have an unbalanced human condition.  So that is what my work is about.  From a spiritual perspective, it is to provoke thought, reiterate truth and simple reality; how we trample over ourselves not realizing our vulnerabilities.  My statement is not intended to be philosophical, pretentious or sermonic.  It is an open challenge to myself and art work."

Lalanne's interest in the tensions between spirituality and reality are rooted in her Haitian sensibilities.  "My lines may stand for bridges, splits or perspectives to looking at life.  The figure can be lost and at times indefinite.  My repetitions stem from our sameness.  The tint of the paintings are washed and tainted like the ultimate truth.  The idea of inwardness is the spirit within," said Lalanne in the close of her comments featured in the Collabo brochure.

Lalanne shared other insights regarding her work during an interview with diversityinbusiness.com;  however, due to technical difficulties, we are unable to provide video excerpts from that interview.  Our apologies to Lalanne and to our readers; however, we are able share some comments  by Nerissa Street, the organizer of the Collabo exhibit, regarding Lalanne's work.  Street is president of The Artist Initiative, Inc., which is a service business dedicated to helping artist-entrepreneurs in South Florida and beyond.  Click below for Street's comments.

dibVIDEO: Nerissa Street talks about Collabo Artist-Entrepreneur Francesca Lalanne

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