Martin Brouillette is a French-Canadian painter living in New York. His work has been shown In Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, New York and London. His approach to painting refers to Formalism and it involves the exploration of digital media.
Artist's Statement:
"I am inspired by the digital world's aesthetic - how computer applications have allowed me to transform and manipulate my initial drawings. My latest paintings are the expression of my extravagant and excessive self, which are profoundly hiding behind my discreet and restrained façade. They are revealing my camp alter-ego who is longing to manifest itself. I feast on designing complex arrangements of formal elements. I am seeking a harmonious visual experience within disorder. I like to orchestrate interactions between contraries while investigating balance and unity. I find pleasure in excess and vibrant chaos.
I initially address my work from a formalist approach by directing my concerns towards composition, pattern, structure, space, and the interactions of colors. The succession of layers in my paintings is meticulously planned; each meant to complement, enhance, or discredit each other deliberately. I use digital tools to solve compositional dilemmas while they culminate in tactile human intervention. I entertain a fetishist relationship with oil-paint and its materiality. Abusing the surface by charging up blobs of paint and luscious brushstrokes onto the canvas creates a sense of joy which I find stimulating.
I am motivated by bright colors, bold shapes, and playful compositions. I spend a lot of time drawing and sketching on my tablet. I make choices based on what feels exciting to me. As a result, I am free to create a new leap of faith with each mark, embrace my intuition and enjoy the work with wonder."
Education
2008 Etching & print making, Atelier Circulaire, Montréal
2003 Fine arts diploma, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQÀM)
Solo shows
2019 Audacious forms and dynamic interactions, Delta House gallery, London
2010 La Chambre Grise, Dominique Bouffard Gallery, Montréal
2008 iSeduction, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver
2007 Poussières, Dominique Bouffard Gallery, Montréal
2006 Healing, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver
2005 En quête de solicitude, Gala, Fine arts Gallery, Montréal
2004 La vie, la ville, Gala, Fine arts Gallery, Montréal
2003 Urbanité, Gala, Fine arts Gallery, Montréal
Group shows (selection)
2019 Delta House Open studio, London
2018 Delta House Open studio, London
2008 Bestiaire, Dominique Bouffard Gallery, Montréal
2008 Tableaux divers-08, Dominique Bouffard Gallery, Montréal
2007 Écomusée du Fier monde, Montréal
2007 Papier, Dominique Bouffard Gallery, Montréal
2006 Tableaux divers, Dominique Bouffard Gallery, Montréal
2006 A sense of place, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver
2005 Surfacing, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver
2005 Festival Montréal en art, Montréal
2005 Fragments, Centre d'Art Amherst, Montréal
2005 Au fil du temps, au gré de l'art, Musée du Château Ramezay, Montréal
2004 Collectivité, Gala, Fine arts Gallery, Montréal
2004 Gallery artists, Elliott Louis Gallery, Vancouver
2003 Le jardin au bout du pinceau, Musée du Château Ramezay, Montréal
2003 RBC New canadian painting, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax
2003 RBC New canadian painting, Distillery Visitor Center, Toronto
Art fairs
2020 London Art Fair, London, U.K. (Art Mûr Gallery)
2009 TIAF, Toronto, Canada (Dominique Bouffard Gallery)
2010 TIAF, Toronto, Canada (Dominique Bouffard Gallery)
Publics collections
Desjardins financial group, Montréal, Canada
RBC Investor services, Toronto, Canada
Awards
2003 1st prize, Musée du Château Ramezay, Montreal, Canada
2003 «RBC New Canadian painting competition» (finalist - Eastern Canada)
Other experiences
2016 - Present Art curriculum director for Worldwide Orphans. WWO.org