Francine Van Mieghem - Wire-shaped woman

On February 8, 1930, Francine Van Mieghem was born in Ostend, where she also spent her childhood. She attended art school with painter Maurice Boel. Francine knew what she wanted and, against her father's wishes, enrolled at the art college 'La Cambre' in Brussels. She took ceramics lessons with Pierre Caille and drawing lessons from Paul Delvaux. During her studies she met filmmaker and photographer Claude Gabriels. Together they had a daughter, Isabelle. In 1954, Francine came into the life of sculptor George Grard, who had lived in Sint-Idesbald since the 1930s. Francine became his support, refuge and muse. She served as a model for, among others, 'The woman looking at the sun', which is displayed in the Veurne city park and on the Ten Bogaerde site. George Grard taught Francine to sculpt. She was passionate to the depths of her soul. In addition to sculpting, Francine also made beautiful drawings in Indian ink. She grew into a respected artist herself. You will find her sculpture 'Just a child – a young tree' in the sculpture garden of the Keunekapel in Sint-Idesbald. Together, George and Francine have a daughter, Chantal Grard. She is an artist and teacher at the Westhoek Academy Koksijde (WAK). Francine's eldest daughter, Isabelle, also grew into an excellent artist. She has always encouraged her daughters to be creative.