Pierre Patry

Pierre Patry

Pierre Patry Biography

Patry was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec in 1956. He studied graphic arts between 1974 and 1977 in Ahunstic, Montreal before exploring the diversified discipline of print-making at Concordia University and The Studio at L'Ile de Val David. It is his sensual, luminous paintings for which he has been celebrated and which have been exhibited in over 40 venues since 1982 to resounding praise in the US, Germany, and Japan. In Quebec and France, especially, Patry has been awarded over a half -dozen prizes of merit. For Patry, the phenomenal process of abstract painting occurs via spontaneity and intuitive vigour: "It is rhythm that underlies the work, guides the combinations of shapes and colours, sometimes strong or violent, sometimes soft and subtle." Richly applied tones prevail, from a potent palette of primary, earth, jewel, and metallic colours deftly accentuated by subtle whites and striking black. The resulting canvases and works on paper are sumptuous and seductive ---- a virtuosity of expressive effect: "Between reality and abstraction, I express my emotions, that which I feel within me..."

Writer, critic and recipient of the Montreal Literary Prize, Guy Robert writes of Pierre's work "Who is the artist Pierre Patry? He appears to me as being one of the most gifted and energetic flag bearers of his generation without, however, belonging to a specific group. It is indeed his own banner that he proudly carries and not yet in his forties, he demonstrates exceptional creativity, originality and maturity..."

Awards & Recognitions
1985 Honourable mention, Concours national du Cercle artistique du Quebec
1991 Finalist, Concours Biennale Decouverte, Musee de Quebec
1992 Gold medallist, Best Abstract and Grand Prize, 'All Categories,' Salon Artmust, Palais des arts, Marseille, France
Grand Prize, Gestural Abstract, Chateau de Sevigne, Lambesc, France
Third Prize, Salon d'art pictural, Ventabren, France1993 Best Foreign Artist, 37th Salon international d'arts plastiques de la Societe des beaux arts, Ministry of Tourism, Beziers, France
1995 Monograph Patry published by Editions Privilege

Selected Solo Exhibitions
1982 Galerie Noctuelle, Longueuil, Quebec
1990 Chateau Crete, Granes-Piles
1991 Museum of Contemporary Art, Montreal
L'art et l'affiche, Boucherville
La Maison du Brasseur, Lachine, Quebec
Maison ancestrale Luc Sauve, Repentigny
1992 Chapelle St-Sulpice, Istres-en-Provence, France
Galerie Lydia Monaro, Montreal
1993 Galerie d'art Heureux, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
Artmust, Marseille, France
Salon international de la Societe des beaux-arts, Beziers, France [group]
Galerie Kastel, Montreal [group]
1995 Auberge Godefroy, Becancour, Quebec
Galerie d'Art Monaro, Vieux Montreal
Galerie Michel-Ange, Montréal
1998 Jane Marunouchi Gallery, N Y
1999 Gevik Gallery, Toronto
Galerie d'Art Monaro, Vieux Montreal
2004 Gevik Gallery, Toronto
2005 Gevik Gallery, Toronto [group]
2006 Gevik Gallery, Toronto [solo]
2007 Gevik Gallery, Toronto [group]
2008 Gevik Gallery, Toronto [group]
2010 Gevik Gallery, Toronto [solo]

Selected Collections:
Toronto-Dominion Bank
The City of Montreal
The Government of Quebec

Artist Specialization: Abstract Expressionsim - Pierre Patry constructs his surfaces through the use of colour and form, structuring space into zones that reverberate harmoniously lending a pleasing rhythm to the entire work. He does not seek to represent physical reality, but rather his own relationship to the world around him. His approach is an attempt to translate into visual terms the interrelation that exists between two distinct entities – reality and imagination – and in doing so, manages to highlight both their differences and the qualities that unite them.