From the benches of elementary school, Benoît Desfossés has his nose in
the air, a pencil in his hand and scribbles down while the teacher is
giving explanations.
He is born on October 15th 1956 in Montreal. He is the fifteenth child
of a family of nineteen children. Different from his brothers and
sisters, he carves his place out and studies commercial design and
various techniques related to this discipline. He studied as well in
industrial design, architecture, graphics and interior design at the
“Université du Québec à Montréal”. Associate to Inné Design, interior
design designer and many of his projects are published in Quebec’s
magazines, such as “Les Idées de Ma Maison” and “Décormag”.
After many
years working in interior design and printing, he joins the
“Académie d’Art et Beaux-Arts” in Varennes, where he learns classic
painting from Pierrette Lacas and Sam Aberg. He participates to his
first exhibition and was granted a television interview for this
event. With a group of artists, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
accepts to include their project and exhibition: “Hommage à Monet,
vision Québécoise” during the international exhibition of
impressionist: Monet.
His post-impressionist style evolves through the years, learning’s and
travelling. He uses mix techniques and let freedom to his imagination
through history; his own and the one to come, to discover. The exhibit;
100 years of hockey in Montreal has become an extraordinary stepping
stone. This exhibit is moving around the province and requested since
March 2009.
He teaches art to more than sixty students at the “Ateliers Artlequin”
in Ste-Julie and is completely dedicated to his art.
Many of his art pieces are part or private collections throughout
Canada.
ARTISTICS STEPS
I always have been attracted by paintings and history. It was not surprising
that today you can see geography, history and anthropology thought my art. I
consider my production being witness of our present and passed history. I like
very much the idea of my art being a learning tool, it is very refreshing. Maps
are giving me the opportunity to travel; the history makes me understand our
ancestors and contemporary. The anthropology informs me about our society and
culture. All these aspects make my canvas alive and vibrating. It’s up to you to
look and find out your own answers.
The paintings are an opportunity to share, to question, to dream and discover…
I glue newspapers, maps, pictures, I insert plants, stencils, small objects,
textures and texts. All together on the canvas these elements speak about a
city, people, a story, speak about life.
There is no limit to my creativity, my findings, encounters, relationships,
readings and to travels that are feeding my production. It is an endless process
and there are always things to learn about.
Through the years, I discovered a passion which brings me closer to myself and
fellows. It is my way of sharing my vision of life and people on my paintings.
Benoit Desfossés, contemporary artist. His canvas are reflecting the city movement, he is inspired by his passion of sport, travelling, history and about life... Benoit Desfossés teaches art
and painting in atelier Artlequin and participates to various and large
scale exhibits.
