Galerie Q Presents: La féminine

The work entitled "Vetu en Rose", believed to be a self-portrait by Nathalie Voisine

The work entitled “Vetu en Rose”, believed to be a self-portrait by Nathalie Voisine

Galerie Q is hosting a new group exhibition entitled “La feminine” which features 21 works by 10 Canadian artists, three of whom are recognized Canadian Masters. The diverse and expansive body of work exhibited in La féminine presents femininity as a fluid concept. Using paint and brush to explore the female body, each artwork evokes a deep interest with the many facets of femininity.

With artists from the 20th century to current ones, the exhibit offers insight into the interpretation of the notion of femininity from both an historical and contemporary perspective, with images from life study as well as the artists’ imaginations. Among the featured artists are Nathalie Voisine, Diane Desmarais, Ginet LeBlond, Armand Tatossian (1948-2012) Olga Muzychko, Valerie Kent, Pierre Bédard, Léo Ayotte (1909-1976), Markus Billard, Goodridge Roberts (1904-1974).

Painted specifically for La féminine, Nathalie Voisine’s six newest works, Mise à nu, Intimité Timide, La femme discrete, Vêtue de rose, and Close Your Eyes pair cool colours with smooth and sensuous brushstrokes to reveal contours of the feminine figures she paints. Her unique style begins with a single free-form gesture that channels her imagination through brush and colour.

La feminine also showcases two of Diane Desmarais’ works, where lines between subject and landscape often become blurred, allowing the viewer to construct their own narrative. A tender intimacy apparent in her composition portrays a feminine essence highlighted through her sensitive brush strokes.

Behind Ginet LeBlond’s female portrayals lies extensive research and her images are often of warm rural scenes of life in the ninetieth and twentieth centuries. Her three works featured in La Féminine capture the female spirit of rural Québec women in the late ninetieth century. Her practiced brushstrokes and soft palettes in Young Girl Feeding Geese, Nuns, and Country Woman in Pasture Land create a pleasing contrast to her paintings of hardworking women.

In a work by Canadian Master, Armand Tatossian (1948-2012) entitled Seated Nude, the artist invites viewers to engage with the expressivity of the female form, whose natural pose and thoughtful demeanor demonstrate the singular beauty and charm of his muse. A master of light and shadow, the subtle movement in the female’s figure reflects in the residual traces of his brushstrokes.

There are less serious images in the exhibit, including a whimsical representation of the feminine by Pierre Bédard. With his playful brushstrokes and striking use of colour his female figures are rendered with intricate patterns and textures; they blur the boundaries of the female form seen in his painting, Beatitude.

In a striking untitled work, Canadian Master, Léo Ayotte’s (1909-1976) portrays the feminine through sharply defined facial features and bold colours. The standing figure seems to be silently saying, “I am here. Her stature reveals a boldness that encompasses both strength and compassion, indicating her bravado.

Galerie Q artist Valerie Kent was moved by the extensive and varied series of works in the exhibit, saying “I am inspired by the expressive and compelling tones found within each artwork, which arise from an exchange between the feminine figure and the landscape she embodies.”

The exhibit opens on Saturday, April 23rd and runs until Sunday, May 29th. The gallery is hosting an Opening Reception on the first day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and welcomes the public to attend.

Galerie Q is a not-for-profit contemporary, fine art gallery with a focus on French Canadian Art. All of Galerie Q’s profits fund education and community building activities, including exhibitions, benefits, lectures and readings. For more information, visit the Gallery’s website at www.galerie-q.com.

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