MÉMORIAUX
by
JOSÉE DESJARDINS
Galerie Noel Guyomarc’h proudly presents Mémoriaux, its 5thexhibition dedicated to Quebec artist Josée Desjardins. Following l’Herbier Imaginaire (1997),Portraits de Famille et autres Clichés (2001), Alliances….et Autres Bijoux d’Union(2006) andBijoux d’une Voyageuse et son Cabinet de Curiosités(2010), Mémoriaux will be on display from October 12 to November 4.
Using objects from her personal childhood, sometimes family belongings, Josée Desjardins chose to share a specific time of her life, bringing both a reconciled past and reinvented future into pieces inspired by the items she collected throughout the years. Some of those items may seem obsolete, yet they bear witness of her artistic path and influences, of her personal and family history and ultimately of the person she has become. By using and reworking them, she reclaims her own history.
Rencontre impromptue 3 Brooch in drifted wood, sterling silver, brass, fragment of dark blue taffeta dress, embroidery, pipe wood
Rencontre impromptue 1, brooch in turned seawood, sterling silver, brass, tapestry, fragment of night blue taffeta dress, family hair, pipe tube, acrylic paint
A jeweller for almost 40 years, Josée Desjardinsis one of the main artists in the Canadian contemporary jewellery landscape. In 1997, she was qualified as “the best Canadian jeweller of the 90’s” by Anne Barros in Ornament and Object: Canadian Jewellery and Metal Art (p.94). She is represented by Galerie Noel Guyomarc’h since the gallery opened its doors in 1996.
Desjardins studied at the École de joaillerie et de métaux d’art de Montréal (today École de joaillerie de Montréal) from 1980 to 1986. She also participated in several training workshops. From 2011 to 2014, she undertook a Master’s degree in Psychosocial Practices Studies at the University of Quebec in Rimouski. Her thesis questioned the relationship between the creative process and the relationship to the self and to the world when feeling lonely. Throughout her career, she never stopped exploring her own creativity as well as new materials, forms and techniques. Her pieces welcome unconventional materials and history-bearing found objects. Mémoriauxreflects a more intimate approach as the memories are used as the core of every piece. Desjardins is currently working on an explicative catalogue for the pieces of the new exhibition.
Les fiançailles, Necklace in different kind of wood, sterling silver, embroidery, brass, cotton, plexiglas, wood rules, pigment, vintage linoleum
Originally from Hull, Desjardins is currently living in Rimouski. She opened a school in 2003 to offer personalised programs and workshops. A prolific artist, she has exhibited in Canada, in the United States, in France and in England. Her work is mentioned in several publications and some of her pieces have become part of Quebec Museum of Fine Arts permanent collection.
Mémoriauxwill be on display at Galerie Noel Guyomarc’h from October 12 to November 4, 2018
Josée Desjardins thanks the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec in its support of this project.
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