ARTISTIC JOURNEY

My visual world offers the spectator a view of human nature in which basic processes of accumulation, time and memory bear witness to life as it comes into being.

Defying the boundaries of pure representation, my work follows the surges and the meanders of a quest, occasionally leading into areas somewhat abstract. Whatever objects come into view translate a sentiment, feeling or life experience uncovered as if hidden in an old drawer or secret garden, rising suddenly to our awareness. It is with these images in mind that my art, associated with paper and books, brings me back to the world of my childhood. I recall how we handled these rare and expensive objects as if by ritual, with great carefulness, neatness and delicacy, lending them a sacred character which even today has the power to enthrall me.

The materials I prefer to work with are hand-made paper, paper-material, textiles, canvas and wood. Using an approach “automatiste”, my work proceeds through a series of free gestures. Several layers of transparent colors are applied, adding to the feeling of accumulating time and memory. The surface is enriched with various materials created by the use of collage and thickening out. The theme of communication is further reinforced through the occasional use of writing. As the process continues, I take a more actively conscious and analytic approach, in order to pull all the elements together into an organic whole.

The attempt to picture human nature through art has also been a vehicule for me to inspect my own nature. It continues the process of appropriating my personal space, my territory as it were, within limits that are always moving and living… just as life itself.

BIOGRAPH

Marcelle Fortier has her roots in the South Shore of Montreal, where she has lived all her life. She studied visual art at the Université du Québec (Montreal) and Concordia University, from which she received a Bachelor of Arts. Marcelle has taken part in more than a hundred exhibitions and received several artistic prizes and awards for excellence. She is an active member of the R.A.A.V. (Regroupement des artistes en arts visuels) and Diagonale, a center for arts and textiles in Quebec. Often presiding on juries, Marcelle continues her social involvement in many community projects of an artistic nature. As well, she leads workshops on the themes of paper-making and fine book-making.

Her works may be found in many public and private collections, such as the National Library of Canada, the National Library of Quebec, the Foundation Émile-Borduas, Charles Lemoyne College, The National Library of the Eastern Townships and Bio Santé Canada Limited.