Remembering Kiki
Gelatin Silver Print
Olympus OM 1: Ilford hp5: 35mm
Francis A Willey
2003

This image was inspired by the journals of the life of Kiki de Montparnasse :
Alice Prin, An enigmatical woman that influenced culture in Paris during the 20's and 30's. She was known as the "Queen of Montparnasse. She was a model, a muse and lover of many famous artists, but also a singer, dancer, cabaret manager, painter and film actress.
Animating and enchanting the Montparnasse district during the interwar Wars (1921-1939). She influenced many surrealists and filmmakers, poets and novelists. I believe she challenged a male dominant art scene at that time. Influencing the likes of Francis Picabia, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, Picasso, Dali, Ernest Hemingway, Tsuguharu Foujita- to name a few.

a timeless portrait in her honour as an influential woman in Paris, but also as a woman that inspired artists to create more art and literature.