September 8 to October 8, 2016
La Guilde proudly presented the exhibition De noir et de blanc which brought together the work of two great Quebec ceramists, Janine Parent and Patrick Le Blond, from September 8 to October 8, 2016. The idea came naturally to unite under one roof, the first artist’s minimalist black and white creations, to the second’s dynamic and colourful works. Both artists are from Quebec City and followed the same training at l’École-atelier de céramique du Cégep de Limoilou de la Maison des Métiers d’art de Québec. De noir et de blanc strived above all to create a dialogue between two different practices in ceramics, each one producing a different rendering.
JANINE PARENT
Janine Parent is a ceramicist who is always on the lookout for innovation and ways to renew the medium. Her research and different training led her to insert weaving and basketry techniques into the usage of this medium, imparting her creations with a constantly renewed expressiveness and freedom. Strengthened by her numerous solo and group exhibitions in Quebec, Canada, and even internationally, she also gives occasional master classes. Now a well-established artist in the ceramic discipline, she is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards in fine crafts.
“My ceramic creations bear witness to research based on simplicity and purity of line. These works are patiently and thoroughly polished before undergoing a raku firing which spontaneously and randomly produces an exceptional network of fine lines. The minimalist shapes and silky surface treatment contribute in bestowing these unique creations with their peaceful and harmonious character.”
- Janine Parent
PATRICK LE BLOND
Trained in ceramics, Patrick Le Blond cultivates a pictorial approach to this kind of work. Although originally from Quebec City, where he was part of the first cohort from l’École-atelier de céramique de la Maison des métiers d’art, he now has been living and working on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine for several years. He is known mainly for his wall plates, vases and colourful sculptures inspired by nature and the light of the Islands, which he creates in series of unique pieces that communicate with one another. Each creation is driven by the research of the fine line between utilitarian object and work of expression. His work has been exhibited in several solo and collective exhibitions in Quebec and in France. His pieces are also part of important collections. In 2015, he was artist in residence at the Maison des métiers d’art de Québec.
“I am a ceramist of the traditional kind. Above all, it is the materials that I seek to beautify. My abundant creation of artworks comes from my training as a potter. However, it is in itself an artistic approach. My discourse is destined to those who wish to get closer to ceramics. I like the act of shaping ceramic ware on a rotating potter's wheel, which allows the ability to touch. My practice revolves around three exploratory axes, which I must combine into one homogeneous whole. Either the throwing process and glaze laboratory, the motifs or narrative discourse of the artwork or finally, the glazing process.”
- Patrick Le Blond