Explore a cross-section of Canadian contemporary sculpture practice in "Mémoire matérielle’’

by evlyne Laurin

"Mémoire matérielle" is a special exhibition curated by evlyne Laurin for the Plural 2024 Pavilion Space. See it in person on the second floor of the Grand Quai of the Port of Montreal from April 12-14, 2024.

This project is propelled by Artys Transit, with curatorial support from the Fonds Hamelys.

This exhibition evolved in a rather different framework than usual curatorial projects - the parameters are different in a broader sense and are presented outside of museum walls or institutional context. Mémoire matérielle aims to showcase a plurality of materials, practices, techniques, and mediums, highlighting the materiality of artworks and their cultural context to acknowledge their meaning and significance within the artistic ecosystem of Quebec and Canada.

This exhibition celebrates the tangible embodiment of current topics and the resourcefulness, creative power, and diversity of artists, whether born here or having chosen to live here, on this native land that has welcomed all of us. It was essential to my vision to showcase a variety of practices and materials, reflecting the breadth of contemporary art in our country. I firmly believe that unity in diversity strengthens the art world, fostering collaboration, shared experiences, and a welcoming embrace of differences.

Featuring the works of over 30 artists, Mémoire matérielle invites you to engage with art, culture, history, and memory. Through these expressions of cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance, and with the hope that it will spark your interest to visit one more gallery, one more museum, or to have one more conversation, to discover and celebrate our plurality, as we recognize the profound influence of art on our cultural identity and legacy. Let this exhibition be a catalyst for deeper engagement and appreciation of the diverse voices and perspectives shaping our artistic landscape.

The exhibition features the following artists:

• Ghazaleh Avarzamani (Nicolas Robert)
• Trevor Baird (Project Pangée)
• Shary Boyle (Patel Brown)
• Judy Chartrand (Macaulay & co. Fine Art)
• Zavisha Chromicz (Paul Petro Contemporary)
• Melanie Colosimo (The Blue Building)
• Ruth Cuthand (Slate Fine Arts)
• Chun Hua Catherine Dong (Patrick Mikhail)
• Sameer Farooq (Nicolas Robert)
• FASTWÜRMS (Paul Petro Contemporary)
• Marie-Ève Fréchette (Galerie C.O.A.)
• Steen Ipsen (Duran Mashaal)
• Ginette Legaré (Birch Contemporary)
• Alexandra Levasseur (Galerie C.O.A.)
• Yen-Chao Lin (TIAN Contemporain)
• Janet Macpherson (Slate Fine Arts)
• Rhonda Weppler & Trevor Mahovsky (Susan Hobbs)
• Manuel Mathieu (Galerie Hugues Charbonneau)
• Lindsay Montgomery (Patel Brown)
• Laura Moore (Zalucky Contemporary)
• Suzanna Nacha (United Contemporary)
• Dominic Papillon (Galerie Bellemare - Lambert)
• Amélie Proulx (Chiguer Art Contemporain)
• Stephen Schofield (McBride Contemporain)
• Erin Shirreff (Bradley Ertaskiran)
• Jennifer Rose Sciarrino (Galerie Daniel Faria)
• Cassie Suche (Duran Mashaal)
• Brendan Lee Satish Tang (Galerie Jones)
• Charlene Vickers (Macaulay & co. Fine Art)
• Erin Vincent (Christie Contemporary)
• Nico Williams (Blouin - Division)
• Kevin Yates (Susan Hobbs)

Also, if you'd like to dive deeper into the curatorial creative process that shaped Mémoire matérielle, join me for a guided tour of the exhibition on Friday, April 12th at noon! Find more info here, no registration required.

I would like to extend a special thanks to David Lavoie, and to museum technicians Alexandre, Gabriel, Anne-Marie and Jérémie, as well as all the galleries that have generously loaned works by their artists to make this exhibition the success it is. A heartfelt thank you to all the galleries outside of Montreal who understood the importance of this showcase; your support has been greatly appreciated.