UNE VRAI SUCCES ARTISTIQUE: Interview with Paul Brunet
Photo: Jean-François Gravel
version Francais : http://rossettoink.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/un-vrai-succes-creative-interview-avec-paul-brunet/
One of the most interesting and Dynamic artists I have come across in the past year is Paul Brunet. His images are like amplified explosions of color, of a world that is yet to come if are not more careful with the resources we have. Dark and foreboding images in psychedelic color resonate off his canvases. These works feature cultural icons and modern ideas that are easily understood by the viewer. All of this creates simply stunning images that intensely radiate his vision to his audiences proving that art does not have to be complicated in order to be understood or MODERN ART. Paul took some time out of his schedule to communicate with me via Facebook and tell us the method behind his GENIUS.
How long have you been creating and at what point do you believe you fell into a style of your own?
PB) It’s a cliché to say but I have been creating since my childhood. When I was young, my grandmother Jeanne Liboiron (who died this summer, rest in peace) introduced us to the pleasure of drawing and color. I was a great colorist and she gave me this. Since then, I always spent a lot of time drawing and playing with color. Today, I practice more professionally and I created my own style. I would not say that I fell into a style because I find it somewhat derogatory to say, I would rather say I found myself a way to make me good at art.
photo: Louis Joncas
Did you go to art school? If so do you believe it was an essential part to the creation of your work?
PB) Yes, I went to art school. I earned a DEC, a BA (Bachelors of Arts) and an MA(Masters of Art) in the Visual Arts, while studying in Quebec City. I think I gained a lot as it brought me a lot of basic knowledge in this field. It also allowed me to meet a network with artists who where and are always around me. It sharpened my critical sense to practice academically as is always taught in universities.
Was there a particular artist, show or image that made you decide to pursue a career in Art?
PB) When I was in high school, I had no art classes but I followed an extracurricular activity called “lunch art”. There, I had a very stimulating teacher (Jean-Guy Brière) who encouraged me to develop my thoughts and my passion for art. I read the Refus Global by Paul-Emile Borduas , the Manifesto of Surrealism and many other interesting texts that inspired me greatly. I saw in art a freedom and pleasure that I could not find elsewhere. It also cultivated my need for rebellion and world change as a teenager. The Surrealists and automation were the first artists who gave me the taste of a career in art. I felt so close to what they were doing. I really admired that they had provoked change in the history of art. In college, I was so fascinated by this kind of movement that we create our own movement with friends. We even wrote a manifesto, but this lasted only while in college. We wanted to change the world and try to make it a better place. I was so idealistic…
What do you believe is the essence of great art?
PB) I think the essence of good art is that it is a reflection of the artist themselves and therefore of who we are. Thereby the personalization of art by our individuality creates a unique work that can not be authentic and beautiful by that fact. Art for me is also the reflection of the era in which we live. This is the archive of time and subjectivity, I’d say.
Also, good art should transcend us and take life in the other. It should touch the viewer and engage in stimulating their imagination or their thinking.
What do you think about when you create? What are your beliefs about creating art?
PB) My intention when I create is to create a narrative, from something that is part of me. I want to give the viewer a connection that will affect them personally. I want them to feel concerned by the work and to be creatively stimulated. When I create, I also try design a work that opens me and shows I exist. I want to be sublimated to the work and feel a sensitivity that only art makes me feel.
What are your beliefs about art, as in what purpose does it serve humanity?
PB) My beliefs on artistic creation are that it is a type of religion. Like Gauguin, I think we have an almost religious faith in the art to continue in this way. Art is a lifestyle more than anything else. The art is life itself.
Photo: Jérôme Bourque
What message do you hope your viewers take from your images or one of your exhibitions?
PB) As I said above, for me, art is a reflection of our times. Artists are visual archivists; through the history of civilization it shows that we retain a collective memory. This is not necessarily apparent when we create works come to pass though the story still makes this work even if it is not the artist’s primary purpose. I also believe that art can also express criticism about what is happening in the current times. For me, art is an authenticity that can afford to show us by the beauty, a piece of truth that can be touched in our lives.
How do you decide when an image is finished? Are you works pre-planned or free flow?
PB) What I want now in my pictures is to be being able to make people think either of their existence or of the painting itself. I like the subject of dramas and tragedies in my pictures. It is often taboo to discuss certain topics in our society, defused with humour; these subjects seem easier to tackle. That’s what I try to do in my work. Talking about life with humour to make it more accessible, like certain words that affect us all I encourage reflection on them.
To answer your other question, the end of a canvas is very instinctive. At one point, we feel that there is nothing to bring to the table. That it is independent of us and we should stop working there. It is often very good because at this point, we no longer see the work from the perspective of an artist but from the perspective of a spectator. Often, that’s when you notice imperfections less. That lets than one be sublimated by the whole thing. It is a moment that I like I love.
When I create now, it’s more planned than before but there is always a touch of improvisation in everything I do as in all creation. It’s like life, nothing is ever as we had originally thought.
Before as example, everything was improvised and this resulted in more textured and works with many more layers involuntary (for changes in the image). Now, I control it better and it gives a different kind of result.
Your images have sometimes have an apocalyptic under tone do you consider yourself a pessimist?
PB) No, I do not consider myself a being pessimistic but rather as someone who is realistic. Everything has a purpose and humanity is like everything. The subject of the Apocalypse is one that deals with death and therefore of human existence itself. It is something thing that I think affects us all and requires us to reflect on the life we lead and the possibility of the end of it.
How do you keep your images fresh?
PB) I think the best way to make art that is present is to see what is happening in contemporary art right now. For this, we must engage in this environment, see the previews, mingle with artists, do research on what is being done in and internationally read the connection. I believe we must above all be passionate about being an artist and have a great thirst for knowledge in general.
Name 5 important artists from Quebec contemporary or historical you believe every person should know?
PB) If I think of painters from Quebec’s art history, I would say: Paul-Emile Borduas, Jean Dallaire, Jean-Paul Riopelle, Serge Lemoyne and David Elliott.
Who are some great Canadian artists that influenced your work?
PB )There are several but I will name them as: David Elliott, Kim Dorland, Marcel Dzama, Peter Doig and more near me: Thierry Arcand-Bossé.
How do you fund your practice? Do you survive solely off Artistic endeavors?
PB) I finance my practice by working as a video editor for cultural activities and events which are often connected to visual arts. I also worked as coordinator of artists’ center. Now I decided to redirect web integration in order to have more stable funding for my art practice. My work in painting does not assure me a good income but I am confident that with time this will change.
Do you consider Art an investment?
PB) I believe that art is a good investment and it’s not normal that the art market is as low in as it is in Quebec and Canada. There is a lot of work to do that and hopefully it will grow in coming years. Otherwise we will see an exodus of Quebec and Canadian artists.
What Canadian Artists would you collect that you believe that as an investment their art will increase in value?
PB) I have several names in mind but I will name a few: François Simard, BGL, Kim Dorland, David Elliott, Marcel Dzama,
photo: Caroline Jean
I saw a picture on your Facebook page of you at a fancy event, maybe it was RBC Emerging Artists competition. Did you win the award? What is the most prestigious event or honour you have had the privilege of attending so far?
PB) No, it was a picture of me at the Toronto Art Fair this year and is the most prestigious event which I attended so far. I really loved to be there and that was thanks to Laroche / Joncas representing me. It was an unforgettable experience that I’m glad I lived.
What are some of your current goals?
PB) My art is sobering and mark the lives of some people.
I would also like too
Succeed in art and be able to live off it.
Travel and show my art to as many people as possible.
Help DEVELOP the field of contemporary art in QUBEC and the EVOLUTION of its market.
Resume that painting is a place worthy of that name in contemporary art in Quebec.
Mark my time and the art history of Quebec.
Just be happy!!!!
You are just finishing a show in Levies Quebec, you are currently represented by Laroche-Joncas here in Montreal, and Caravansérail in Rumoski Where else can we find you on the internet and what other shows do you have coming up?
PB) There is my website, of course: http://www.pagede.com/paulbrunet.htm
My page on the website of the Laroche gallery / Joncas:
http://www.larochejoncas.com/artistes.php?id_artiste=56&menu=2&lang=fr
My fan page on Facebook (updated frequently):
http://www.facebook.com/paul.brunet.artiste
My twitter page:
http://twitter.com/paulbrunet
As for what’s coming for me in the coming months:
COMPOSSIBILITÉ(S)
Commissaire invité
À la Galerie Laroche/Joncas (Montréal)
From February 16 to March 19 2011
GHETTO RODÉO
Résidence de production
À La Bande Vidéo (Québec)
From March 21 to April 3 2011
BIENNALE INTERNATIONALE D’ESTAMPE CONTEMPORAINE
Exposition Nom de Code_7
Esplanade de l’hôtel de ville (Trois-Rivières)
From June 19 to September 4 2011
Any Words of Advice for Young People?
PB) Yes, we must believe in our passion and our talent is the foundation. Continue, persevere and you will live the life you’ve always wanted to live!
We have one life to live then do it to live up to what you want the most.
Photo: Jean-François Gravel
