Biography

MADELEINE BÉCHARD

Canadian Expressionist

Madeleine Béchard was born in Saint Pascal de Kamouraska, Canada where she began painting at an early age. Madeleine was initially inspired by her desire to capture her magnificent environment but it was not until later in life that she decided to devout all of her energy to a career in the arts.

As Madeleine experienced life, her artistic inspiration constantly changed. Today she has developed a sophisticated style and feels that her recent work has enabled her to express her emotions most freely. Madeleine is best known for her modern but polished groupings of women.

Gallerie Je Reviens Director Pelletier comments, “In my discussions with Madeleine, I am able to sense her satisfaction…when an artist finds a way to convey his or her exact emotion on a canvas, it is a career achievement.” Pelletier continues “The obsequious nature of Madeleine’s upbringing seems to have inspired her most recent style and a series of canvases called “Les Femmes Nous Parlent.” Each canvas in the substantial series lacks a title and is only identified by number, suggesting a submissive ideology. Madeleine offers little explanation of her work, for she enjoys allowing her viewer to interpret her art without guidelines.

Madeleine’s images do however convey a strong message with simple gestural forms and wonderfully blended backgrounds. Compositional simplicity is paramount in Béchard’s art. She works by superimposing colorful stains, restraining shadows and lights and adding a touch of texture to create these elegant forms. Her figures, although nameless, faceless and voiceless assert a quiet protest and a new found sense of liberty. Although the natural features gradually fade out to give rise to highly stylized figures with no specific identity, the strength of these women is apparent because they stand in united groups.

Gallerie Je Reviens is pleased to make the work of Madeleine Béchard available for your viewing pleasure.