Land scape
Marie Rioux
CONTEMPORARY ART REVIEW
work on the sea wear fluorescent gear over their clothing which contrasts with the ambient grey . I was dazzled . The first time I tried this garish colour was with an oil pastel , which I rubbed onto untouched parts of my canvas left by pieces of tape . This was when my experiments with these fluorescent colours began . I loved them . I was excited by the contrast and its status outside the norms , its delinquency . . . This adventure is far from over . Sometimes I decide from the start that I will incorporate more textured elements into a work , and by applying certain colours on top of these I can accentuate their effects .
Over these years your works have been exhibited in several occasions : you have had five solos , including your show Le Saint-Laurent : empreintes at the Alliance Française in Toronto . One of the hallmarks of your work is the capability to create direct involvement with the viewers , who are urged to evolve from a condition of mere spectatorship . So before leaving this conversation we would like to pose a question about the nature of the relationship of your art with your audience . Do you consider the issue of audience reception as being a crucial component of your decision-making process , in terms of what type of language is used in a particular context ?
I don ’ t work for an audience or to meet its expectations . Nor do I work to keep up with the artistic currents of the day . My discourse meets an inner need that is independent of fashions . A work of art , like everything that is vital , must be able to evolve . My visual language meets a fundamental need to create and communicate , and that is what I offer the public . It is up to them to find their own resonance , their own meaning and pleasure . This does not mean I am indifferent to others , far from it , but rather that I have adopted a certain independent spirit . That said , I am obviously delighted when someone tells me that they enjoy my work .
Thanks a lot for your time and for sharing your thoughts , Marie . Finally , would you like to tell us readers something about your future projects ? How do you see your work evolving ?
No , thank you for your kind interest .
In the near future I must do a painting in the month of February on the topic of “ Joy ” for a satellite exhibition of the Manif d ’ Art international in Quebec City . This is not a common theme in my work , in my world . But I have a good idea for interpreting it . A monochrome without grey ; light and circles : real joy !
I am going to continue the “ Rencontres la Nuit ” (“ Encounters at Night ”) series . I am probably going to explore human shadows on the land . This project has appealed to me for a long time : to create a video out of some of my paintings and to incorporate my shadow into it with ambient sound . Also , circles , magnifying glasses and clocks have begun to appear in my work . I will develop this . I will also soon begin works on wood , which will provide more opportunities to incorporate textures , collages , engravings , etc . Today these things , tomorrow something else . In short , I have several paths of interests and numerous projects . I am haunted by such a sense of urgency . . . So many ideas , so many possibilities . I feel as if I am only beginning to express my artistic thoughts .
In short , no boredom on the horizon . Only passion !