Micheline Beauchemin

“I have a passion for color; I adore the light of silk, the warmth of wool and the voluptuous splendor of textiles. I am not trying to represent the forest, pure joy or fear; but I want my tapestries to be the forest, pure joy or fear. »

- Micheline Beauchemin, 1960

A textile artist integrating art with architecture, Micheline Beauchemin is famous, among other things, for her monumental tapestries and stage curtains. A poet of matter, the artist explores various materials: wool, cotton, silk, silver and lead threads, acrylic filaments, pearls, glass, fiber optics... Inspired by both nature and the different peoples who she rubs shoulders with, Micheline Beauchemin seeks in each of her works to weave light, to transfigure reality.

Micheline Beauchemin's works have been exhibited from Paris to Tokyo. Many of them are part of collections (Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec and National Gallery of Canada) or adorn public buildings in Canada (Place des Arts in Montreal, National Arts Center in Ottawa) and in the world (United States, Japan, Europe). Many prizes (Saidye Bronfman Prize, Paul-Émile-Borduas Prize and Governor General's Prize, in particular) and distinctions (Officer of the Order of Canada and Knight of the National Order of Quebec) crown his career.

Micheline Beauchemin was also a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, rubbing shoulders with many other renowned artists such as the painter Marcelle Ferron.

Micheline Beauchemin studied at the École des beaux-arts de Montréal, alongside Alfred Pellan and Jean Benoît, then, in Paris, at the École des beaux-arts and at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. with Ossip Zadkine.

Curiculum vitæ

1929 – Born in Longueuil, Canada. During her childhood, she “discovered” the St. Lawrence River, at Cap-Santé and in the Sorel Islands in Quebec. The river will be a source of inspiration throughout his career.

1947-1954 – Studies at the École des beaux-arts de Montréal (1947-1952), followed by a specialization in engraving and stained glass at the École des fine arts of Paris. (1953-1954).

1954 – Stay in Greece where she reconnects with embroidery. Begins shortly after his first crocheted tapestries using recycled fabrics, then wool enhanced with gold or silver aluminum threads.

1959 – Solo exhibition of tapestries at the Denyse Delrue gallery in Montreal. Several others will follow, notably in Toronto, Tokyo and Paris.

1960 – Exhibition of tapestries at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

1963 – First major order for a tapestry for the foyer of Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place des Arts in Montreal. Subsequently, creates works to integrate into the architectural space.

1964 – Second trip to Japan, where she learns weaving (high and low warp) and begins to use synthetic materials (acrylic) in her tapestries.

1968 – In Tokyo, creates the stage curtain for the opera hall of the National Arts Center in Ottawa, which establishes his reputation as a creator of monumental works.

1973-1974 – Travels to South America in order to study the weaving techniques and materials used by the indigenous populations. The Totem* series (1973-1977) is inspired by this trip.

1974-1975 – While living in France, makes two trips to Baffin Island, where she teaches. The Arctic region renews its interest in the properties of light in winter.

1976 – Settles permanently in the house-workshop of Grondine in Quebec. She welcomes weavers and trainees there.

1981 – She is invited to participate in the International Biennial of Tapestry in Lausanne (Switzerland). Produces sculptural works with aluminum.

1984-1989 – With members of the group Contestension, fights for the visual integrity of the river and the protection of the environment in the Portneuf region.

2008 – Finishes Soleil for the La Tohu building (Montreal), sculpture that incorporates blown glass and fiber optics.

2009 – Micheline Beauchemin retrospective exhibition. River of light, presented at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec from June 18 to October 11, 2009. The exhibition brings together ten large-format works produced between 1964 and 1985 as well as studies and a few miniatures.