Convergence

Artist: Francesca O’Malley

Francesca O’Malley is a second generation Brooklyn native with art degrees from Pratt Institute. She explores space, dimension, light, symbol, and the human figure, often placing these things in contradiction to each other. Her practice includes acrylic painting, digital rendering, and lenticular sculpture, as well as the occasional fiber piece.

This work combines two digital renderings: the top one was made during the COVID-19 pandemic; the bottom is more recent. Together they invite the question:

When have you made an effort at community, even though it felt fragile?

Here’s how our neighbors responded: 

It’s never felt fragile to me, I have always felt that my community has been strong , and if not stronger, since the pandemic encouraged us to value the community we created and find creative ways to preserve it…

Rebuilding my community following my divorce felt especially fragile as it had become so clear to me that community was a revolving door and people could and would come and go without my control.

I find it stressful to talk to other parents at the playground, but I’ve been making an effort . Once we get over the hump of small talk, I feel connected in a new way, and less alone in the day-to-day struggles of parenting in NYC.