Florent

Mixed Media on Wood Panel

Florent was a restaurant in the meat-packing district of New York. Run by Florent Morellet, when it opened in 1985 (the R&L Restaurant since 1943) it was called ‘the hottest downtown eating spot’ and was a hub of gay New York. Every notable celebrity dined there including Madonna, Prince, Bowie, Keith Haring and more. When Morellet was diagnosed HIV-positive he used to post up his t-cell count on the wall menu. Rising rent caused Florent to close but he did it with style, hosting five ‘stages of grief’ closing parties.

This relief art painting was created by Georgina Smith in her studio in Brighton. Each artwork is built up of multiple layers of card, cut to create a 3D image, which is then drawn and painted. Her paintings centre on historical buildings with a focus on those that have a sense of nostalgia and faded charm.

Dimensions 210mm x 297mm without frame

Framed with a dark grey tray frame