Florence Vale

Florence Vale (1909-2003)

Florence Vale was a Canadian artist known for her work in surrealism, cubism, and expressionism: “I paint what I dream,” wrote Vale. Vale was born in Essex, England and emigrated to Toronto with her family when she was 2 years old. Vale’s parents were musicians and Vale herself received no formal art training. When she was 18 she met noted Toronto artist Albert Franck, and the two were married 2 years later. Franck introduced Vale to painting, and in the late 40s, she began to experiment with her husband’s materials. While Franck’s work most often depicted realistic views of Toronto backyards and houses, Vale’s work was often entirely invented. The couple were a part of the Gerrard Street bohemian circle, and their house on Hazelton Avenue became a hub for creative personalities, writers, musicians, and critics. Following her husband’s death in 1973, Vale continued to paint. Her work was represented by the Gadatsy Gallery in Toronto. Joan Murray, noted art critic, organized a retrospective of Vale’s work at the Art Gallery in Peel in 2010. Vale’s work and fonds are held within the collections of the Art Gallery of Ontario.