Joanne Gauthier
Joanne Gauthier was born in Trois-Rivières, Québec in 1962. Joanne studied Decorative Arts at the Cégep de Trois-Rivières and then received her Bachelor’s Degree at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières in 1987. From 1989 to 1997, she taught drawing and painting in the municipality of St-Augustin-de-Desmaures.
Joanne's unique textural, stained glass effect begins with her applying an acrylic paste to the canvas. As this dries, she carves into it to create a relief effect. Once the paste is dry, Joanne uses two water-based paint coats to build the colour. Her third and final coat consists of oil paint mixed with varnish to create bold colours with a glass-like quality.
The juxtaposition of colours, especially radiant reds and deep blues, gives Joanne's work the look of stained glass and the feeling of the twelfth century. The floral patterns and arabesques lend her work an art nouveau flavour with a vibrant spirit and creative current that overcomes the stillness of the image. Joanne is inspired by nature, women's evolving status, and a passion to "open up the path of the soul." Joanne achieves a stunning visual symphony of inner reflection and outer harmony with brilliant colour, emotional tenor and lyrical image.
West End Gallery respectfully acknowledges the Lekwungen peoples, specifically the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, on whose traditional lands our Victoria gallery stands. We also acknowledge that our Edmonton gallery is situated on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples, including the Cree, Blackfoot, Metis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, and Inuit.