2021
Digital inkjet cotton cloth, Fabriano Tiziano 160 gm paper
6″ x 49″ x 1.5″
Critical Stenosis evolved after the artist experienced quadriparesis from a debilitating spinal cord condition. When she could not move she was drawn to the images of dancers and circus performers. She attempted to create collages of woman acrobats and dancers on playing cards painted with acrylics. After a successful surgery Francine was inspired to rewrite the language found in her medical records. Using humor she wanted to contrast the clinical language with the joy found in movement. She collaged the figures adding elements of medical illustrations. She continued painting the scanned collages in Photoshop. All the experiences of her past seemed to merge in this book. She was a medical secretary for several years so she was familiar with the terminology. Dance and movement have always been present in her life. The book arts has been the perfect medium for her to connect her love of the word with visual image.
Francine Goodfriend, Santa Rosa, California