Hélène Falcon is a French-American artist based in Salem, MA. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Paris University. She shows her work at the CAA, the PAAM (Provincetown, MA), the MAA (Marblehead, MA), and the RAA&M (Rockport, MA). She had a solo show, “Brown and Blue”, at the Abbey Studio in Marblehead, MA in 2019 addressing issues of discrimination, and participated in the “Marking Lives COVID-19” exhibit at the Broad Institute in 2020 honoring lives lost to COVID.
Q&A
What are your earliest memories of being artistic? Growing up, my father, an artist, would take me to art exhibits. He would say, “Go where you feel most drawn to.” It laid the foundation for trusting my own process.
When did art become a pursuit? Art has always been part of my life, but I really started focusing on using the arts professionally for social change after working with a Lakota activist in 2005.
Are you self-taught or formally educated in visual art? I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s in Art History from Paris University.
How did you first become involved with CAA? CAA member who was having an open art studio in Beverly, MA. Since then, I have been on the CAA exhibit committee, and am excited to see that CAA has opened itself to social change. I hope that it will create more societal conversations, stemming from a more diverse artist community.
In what other ways are you involved in the local art community? I am a member of several art associations. I believe in the power of conversations with fellow artists and communities at large, across the board.
What role do you think the artist plays in society? I see the artist as one who inquires, one who challenges, one who bridges, one who can hopefully bring about some healing, or at least start conversations.
.
What medium do you currently work in and how did you choose this medium? I have always been drawn to paper. My current works are collages. They are intimate. I like that they are light, as I am aiming for a light footprint.
What is your creative process? Where are you finding ideas for your art these days? I am an abstract artist. I am currently making collages using simple geometric shapes and some markings. I have recently introduced torn paper. I am keeping the discarded. Structures can be challenged, revisited, shifted, or reframed.
How do you choose your subject matter? Is there a reoccurring theme that carries throughout your work? My work focuses on responsibility and interconnectedness. I think that us Westerners need to be willing to do the work, to change our ways. Everything is interconnected. We need to move away from the Western mindset dominated by greed and control and open our hearts if we want the next generations to survive. I strongly feel that we have a responsibility, both historically and moving forward.
In your opinion, what’s your best/favorite piece you’ve made? I don’t have a favorite piece, I have conversations with my pieces, and hopefully, the conversation can continue after they are out in the world
What living artists are you inspired by? There are many. I am very inspired and work in response to artists who focus on social justice. Joy Harjo, a poet, musician, and painter, is one of them. Kara Walker is another courageous voice.
Do you have any shows coming up? I am currently preparing for a solo show (date and place TBD). I am also looking for any opportunities that can help further these conversations.
See more from Hélène Falcon
Instagram: @helene.falcon.art