Kiki de Montparnasse

Kiki de Montparnasse is part of my HeArt of Paris series, inspired by the remarkable women who lived, worked and made their mark in Paris between 1850 and 1940.

Born Alice Prin, Kiki became one of the most recognisable figures of bohemian Montparnasse during the 1920s. She modelled for some of the best-known artists of the period, but Kiki was far more than an artist's muse. She was a singer, performer and painter in her own right, exhibiting her work in Paris and becoming known for her independence, unconventional life and irrepressible personality.

She was a familiar figure in the cafés and bars of Montparnasse, including the famous La Coupole, which I incorporated into the background of this painting.

My painting is not intended as a traditional portrait. I work from old black-and-white photographs and then allow the woman to emerge through my own use of colour, expression and imagination. The body, clothing and surroundings are often largely my own creation. Kiki's dress is filled with symbolism, adding another layer to the painting and reflecting the way I often use symbols to tell part of a woman's story.

Like almost all the women in my HeArt of Paris series, Kiki looks directly at you. That gaze is intentional. These women spent too long being described in relation to the famous men around them. In my paintings, they take centre stage and look back at us.
The original oil painting measures 60 × 80 cm and forms part of the collection behind my book The HeArt of Paris: A Unique Journey Honouring Women Who Made the Evolution of Art Possible.