La Guilde presents the exhibition Conversation
June 10 to July 25, 2021
Montreal, Tuesday, May 25, 2021 –
La Guilde is proud to present, in partnership with the Centre des métiers du cuir de Montréal and the Centre des textiles contemporains de Montréal, the exhibition Conversation. From 10 June to 25 July 2021, come and discover the work of the twelve artists who have graduated from one of the two schools: Jennifer Beaudoin-Boisvert, Julie Bénédicte Lambert, Mylène Boisvert, Atelier C.U.B. (Sophie Gailliot & Richard Pontais), HOTELMOTEL (Corinne Bourget & Niki Jessup), Claire Kusy & Anne Moyse, Claire Nadon, Marie Petit, Lila Rousselet, Tamara Rubilar, Marie-Anne Simard, and Monique Ste-Marie.
For the third instalment of the POP-UP series, we wanted to explore the idea of a conversation in space. This concept is so ingrained in our everyday lives that we do not necessarily think about all its implications. A simple conversation can often affect our actions and/or decisions. We see three levels of conversation in the exhibition: (1) between La Guilde, the Centre des métiers du cuir de Montréal, and the Centre des textiles contemporains de Montréal, (2) between the works, and (3) between the audience and the exhibition. We do not see any division between the twelve artists, working with leather and textiles, as they all add to these conversations we just began. The exhibition highlights the mediums of leather and textile, their textures, colours, and related techniques to create connections between the works of many functions.
Working with leather and textiles require the knowledge of many techniques, which may be surprising in their diversity and complexity. The exhibition presents three leather professions: fine leather accessory making, sheathing, and shoemaking; Several essential techniques of these trades: double needle hand stitch, machine stitch, raw edge assembly, folded edge assembly, and sheathing ; as well as five techniques for textiles: basketry, weaving, spinning, knitting, and embroidery.
Conversation is the first exhibition on which the two schools have collaborated and the first of its kind at La Guilde. The pandemic allowed us to reach out to our partners in Craft and make our space available to feature local artists and their practices. The exhibition celebrates the local skills and techniques required to produce high quality, contemporary pieces.
About the Centre des métiers du cuir de Montréal
The Centre des métiers du cuir de Montréal (CMCM) is the only school of its kind in Quebec and in Canada offering specialized college education in fine leather craftsmanship (DEC en métiers d’art – spécialisation maroquinerie 573.AG). It is done in collaboration with the Institut des métiers d’art – Cégep du Vieux Montréal. The CMCM is also the beneficiary of a generous grant from the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications, allowing the CMCM to carry out its mission as an art education institution.
About the Centre des textiles contemporains de Montréal
Le Centre des textiles contemporains de Montréal (CTCM) a pour mission d’assurer un enseignement professionnel des savoir-faire liés au design et à la fabrication de textiles. À titre d’école-atelier, le CTCM favorise l’initiation, l’expérimentation, la recherche et le perfectionnement en matière de création de textiles. Il œuvre auprès de professionnels, de semi-professionnels et d’amateurs.
About La Guilde
Founded in 1906, La Guilde is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve, promote and increase awareness for Inuit art, First Nations art and Fine Crafts from Canada. In addition to its permanent exhibition—that showcases objects from its collection—La Guilde has a dynamic programming of temporary exhibitions and cultural and educational activities. La Guilde is also an art gallery with works by established and emerging artists, available for acquisition. Located in downtown Montreal, La Guilde’s gallery offers all of its customers high quality contemporary art.