The Salon Romantique
The Salon Romantique
A transnational artistic movement born of reverence for the timeless and the tactile, founded in 2009 by renowned photographer and curator Mark Sink and Canadian multidisciplinary artist and poet Francis A. Willey.
Rooted in the belief that tradition still holds a vital place within contemporary practice, the Salon brings together artists devoted to the spirit of craftsmanship and emotional truth.
From the darkroom to the studio, the written word to the cinematic frame, The Salon Romantique celebrates those who create with intention, discipline, and soul.
Mark Sink, a central figure in the Denver art community, is celebrated for his photographic work capturing icons such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Rene Ricard. As a curator, he has fostered artistic dialogue through founding the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver and organizing Month of Photography, shaping how contemporary
photography is seen and understood.
His images, often imbued with ephemeral light and intimacy, reflect his ongoing dedication to the poetry of the lens.
Francis A. Willey, based in Calgary, Alberta, is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans photography, poetry, painting, and musical composition. Deeply influenced by Romanticism and Symbolist traditions, Willey creates emotionally charged works that explore themes of longing, vulnerability, and transcendence. His art is characterized by a painterly use of light and a meticulous attention to detail, As a poet and visual storyteller, Willey interweaves language and image, crafting immersive, melancholic narratives that honour the beauty of impermanence and the sacred in the everyday.
(Manifesto)
We seek to redefine art not by trend, but by meaning. To challenge the reimagining of art history in a world shaped by algorithms. To cultivate equanimity among artists, and to stir the depths of the creative psyche, It is a return to beauty, discipline, and the poetic truth of being- Francis A Willey