BIO
Véronique Besançon has lived and worked in Montreal since 1997. She was born in Marrakech in 1959 to a French father and a Russian-Hungarian mother. In 1965, his family moved to Paris. As a young adult, preoccupied with human beings, who challenge them in their complexity and their essence, she studied clinical psychology at university. His interest in the development of the person directs him to the field of pedagogy. She arrived in Montreal in a university setting in 1997 and adopted Quebec by heart. There, she pursued a career as an educational technology consultant at the University of Montreal.
From a very young age, she has developed her quest for meaning through artistic practices in contemporary dance as well as in theatre, automatic writing and the visual arts, favoring innovative artistic currents.
She exhibited her work for the first time in Montreal in 2008. Since then, she has multiplied solo and collective exhibitions, as well as artist residencies, in Canada, Asia, North Africa, Latin America, Europe and in New York. His works are part of private and public collections in Canada, the United States, North Africa and Europe. She documents her artistic journey through collections where paintings and poetry are mixed.
Artistic approach
Self-taught artist whose practice has been assiduous for fifteen years, Véronique Besançon explores the theme of the human. Her journey as an immigrant nourishes her questioning and reflection on the relationship of man with society, the international, immigration and interculturality. It sharpens its sensitivity to what surrounds us, to what we experience individually and collectively. Totally committed to her art, she offers the viewer poetry-paintings that arouse strong emotions, concrete reflections on the human being.
Poetic writing and abstract gestural painting are inseparable in his artistic approach. His poems, which come in a universal "I", are integrated into his paintings. They are the backdrop, the narrative framework of the themes and collections that characterize the artist's work. They reveal the authenticity and entirety of the presence of the artist in his act of painting. They are sometimes covered by the colors, sometimes not, but always, they accompany the works. Colors and words underpin his thinking and guide his research.
Véronique Besançon favors large formats. She likes the power of pure pigments to create her own colors. Inspired by Chagall, Delacroix and Picasso, she has developed a color palette that combines the warm hues of the Mediterranean and the intense tones of Eastern Europe. It is in a free and spontaneous pictorial gesture that she applies colors in multiple layers and strata, like spots and imprints on the words first drawn on the canvas. It makes the medium drip, it causes accidents, it accumulates matter. The strokes of dry pastel and oil stick, sketched freely in a spontaneous gesture, bring out characters, vague or precise, in undefined atmospheres. Entirely in the moment of the painting which comes to life and is nourished by her presence, the artist gives free rein to what is revealed to her, to what she discovers anew in each painting. The process is the same, but the revelation, always a discovery.
Véronique Besançon's creative process is intuitive and rich in the artist's experience. As she puts it so well: “I come from afar and draw on my personal interiority and that of my lineage to try to understand human complexity. His baggage is abundant, his gaze, open to others, understanding and benevolent. With her words and her colors, she bears witness to what is happening in her surroundings, society, the world. It gives to feel, to see and to hear.
Resume
Exhibitions
Solo exhibitions
2022 - "A world without borders" - Gallery 203, Montreal
2022 - "A world at heart" - Vincent d'Indy Gallery, Boucherville
2021 - "A world at heart" - Cultural Action Center of the MRC Papineau, Montebello
2020 - "In the heart of the world" - Senthé, Montreal
2019 - "The heart of the world" - Galerie Le 1040, Montreal
2019 - "Open heart" - Gallery space, Saint Sauveur
2018-19 - "Freeze frames, when emotion is revealed..." - Parcours M, Montreal
2017 - "I am the traveling migrant" - Espace Gallery, Montreal
2017 - “Words are windows or walls…” - Galerie Josette Tilmant, St Sauveur
2016 – Parent-Roback House, Montreal
2015 – “Selfie of you” - Atrium Verses, Montreal
2015 – Cinema Beaubien, Montreal
2014 – “Conciliabule” - Cultural Crossroads, Rosemont Petite Patrie, Montreal
2013 – “The Vanishing Point of the Encounter” - Fabienne Rhein Gallery, Montreal
2013 – Promenade Masson, Montreal
2012 – “Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer: The Indignants” - Galerie Espace Contemporain, Montreal
2012- "With recycled frames, unveiled paintings" - Belgo, Contemporary Art Gallery Le Verseau, Montreal
International exhibitions
2022 - “Explo 3”, Casa Degli Artisti in Bienno, Italy
2021 - "Cube", Nadar Gallery, Casablanca, Morocco
2020 – “Art against single thought”, Contemporary art workshops - Mairie de Montreuil, France
2019 - “20/20”, Nadar Gallery, Casablanca, Morocco
2019 - International Art Fair, 10th Sarria Biennale, AAC, Sarria, Spain
2019 - Humanitarian project for the benefit of Syrian children - City Hall, Vienna, Austria
2018 - Marrakech artist residency - Mohamed Sekkat University Library, Casablanca
2017 - ArtFair Beijing, China
2017 - 16 -15 - 14 -13 – 12 "Women in Art" - Ward Nasse Gallery, Soho, New York
2016 - 15 -14-13-12 - ArtExpo New York, New York
2016 - "Summer Solstice", Ward-Nasse Gallery, New York
2016 - 15 - "The unexpected", Ward-Nasse Gallery, New York
2014 - Bola Show, Martha Watts Cultural Center, Piracicaba, Brazil
2014 - Bola Show, Centro Cultural Justiça Federal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2014 - Bola Show, Biblioteca Prefeito Prestes Maia, Santo Amaro, Brazil
Since 2012 - Ward Nasse Gallery, Soho, New York
Exhibitions in duo - trio - quartet
2018 – “Marie and Véronique make an exhibition” Galerie Âme-Art, Montreal
2018 – “Feminine Encounter”, Vues d’Afrique, Montreal
2014 – “Multidisciplinary group” - Galerie Gora, Montreal
2014 – “Le Rendez-vous” - Galerie Espace, Montreal
2014 – “Architecture and environment” - RCARPP, Esplanade Loft project, Montreal
2013 – “The Body in all its states” - RCARPP, Esplanade Loft project, Montreal
2013 - "Zoom In, Zoom Out" - Contemporary Space Gallery, Montreal
2013 - "From Origin to Atmosphere" - Espace Gallery, Montreal
2012 – “Let's occupy space! » Space Gallery, Montreal
Collective exhibitions
2022 - "Trait d'union" Rally-exhibition Views of Africa - Maison du Maroc, Montreal
2022 - 21 - “FemmExpo” - Cultural Action Center of the MRC de Papineau, Montebello
2021 - "Tribute" - Rally-Expos Views of Africa, Montreal
2021 - "The elsewhere is here" - Rally-exhibitions Views of Africa - Maison du Maroc, Montreal
2019-18 - "Your papers please" , Galerie Exhib'Art, Ville st laurent
2019 - "Reunion Expo Africa-America" 10th edition - Expo Rally Views of Africa, Casa Italia, Montreal
2019 - Collective - HangArt Gallery, Montreal
2019 - "All in color" - Espace Galerie, Saint Sauveur
2017 – “Great Big small III” - Cube Gallery - Ottawa
2017 – “The choice of artists” - Arts and materials and group Movim-Arts Quebec-Canada - MAA - Montreal
2017 – “Color against pain” - Saint Lambert
2017 – “The best time” - Mile End Gallery, Montreal
2017 – “Retrouvaille” - View of Africa Exhibition Rally, Moroccan Cultural Center, Montreal
2017 - "Small formats" - Josette Tilmant Art Gallery, St Sauveur
2016 - “Sensitivity” - Galerie Fontaine, Gatineau
2016 - 15 - 14 - "Meeting" - Vue d'Afrique Exhibition Rally, Montreal
2016 - 15 - “It's beautiful, but what is it? - Galerie des Cent Talents, Montreal
2015 – “Quebec Towns and Villages Seen by 50 Artists” - Laurier Museum of Victoriaville
2015 - "The art that seduces" - Galerie Carte Blanche, Montreal
2015 - "Between Us" - Trestler House, Vaudreuil-Dorion
2014 - “Heritage… seen by our artists” - Maison de la culture Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, Montreal
2014 - “It's big and small” – Galerie Zéphyr, Montreal
2014 - Rallye expos Vue d'Afrique, Montreal, Maison Parent-Roback, Montreal
2014-13-12 - Thematic exhibitions - Mile End Gallery, Montreal
2014 - “Art Market place” - Center d'art EK Voland Art Gallery , Montreal
2013 - "Traits d'Unions" - Vue d'Afrique Exhibition Rally, Montreal
2013 - "Women Artists" - Views of Africa exhibition rally, Montreal
2013 - "Luminosity, Yellow Art" - Contemporary Space, Montreal
2013 - ArtsSutton - Art Gallery, Sutton
2013 - "Vibrant" - Viva Vida Art Gallery, Pointe Claire
2012 - Nuit Blanche – Le Belgo, Le Verseau Art Gallery, Montreal
2011-12 - Le Verseau Art Gallery, Le Belgo, Montreal
2011 - 12 – Trudel Art Gallery, Joliette
Symposiums and exhibitions with selection
2022 -19 - 18 - 17- 16-15-14-13 -12 – TRAM fall show, town of Mont Royal
2021 - Toronto ART Fair Outdoor online, Toronto
2020 - Les Rendez-vous Arts Sutton, Sutton
2020 - VASA - Arts Festival's "Colours of South Asia" online exhibition
2019 - Artfest, Toronto
2018 - Toronto Outdoor, Toronto
2018 - 17- 16 - Live Painting Festival Classica, St Lambert
2017 - "Autumn Dreams" Symposiun Baie Saint-Paul
2018 - 17-16 - Mont St Hilaire Museum Autumn Fair, Mont St Hilaire
2016 - 15 - TRACES Symposium, Champboisé
2015 - Expo-sale Mtl en Arts/Plaza St-Hubert, Montreal
2014 - Symposium, Frelighsburg Art Festival
2013 - 14 - 29th and 30th Competition-Gala, Circle of Painters and Sculptors of Quebec, Mtl
2013 - CAVMA Show - Convention Center, Gatineau
2013 - AAPARS Fall Contest Expo, Center Dulude, St-Bruno
2013 - Art and Gardens Symposium, Boucherville
2013 - At the artists park, Art Gallery, Outremont
2013- Visit'Art Symposium, Ste-Hyacinthe
Participation in charity and social events
2021 - Art for young people, I listen to - Virtual auction - www.artkhp.com
2021 - For mental health without taboos - Brushstrokes scissors strokes, Montreal
2020 - Art as a gift - LCF Foundation auction for children in need in Lebanon
2018 - Memory lapses - Exhib'art, Saint Laurent Leisure Center
2018-17-16-13 - "Speak to me of Love", Galerie des Impatients, Montreal, Wellington Center
2018-16-15 -14 - Culture Days, Montreal
2016-15-14 - Meals on Wheels, Montreal
2013 - Le Baluchon - Ste Hyacinthe
Participation in artistic associations
Since 2018 - Ateliers d'Art Contemporain, Montreuil, France
Since 2013 - RAAV - Association of Visual Artists of Quebec
Since 2012 - RACRPP - Regroupement arts et culture Rosemont Petite Patrie
Since 2012 - TRAM – Art round table – Ville Mon-Royal
Training
2017 - Selling your works without losing your soul - RAAV- Montreal
2013 - Artistic career management - Autonomous Spaces
2008 -12 - Gesture workshop - Montreal
2011 - Writing workshop for artistic approach and exhibition projects - RAAV - Montreal
1996-98 - Atelier Plumelle - Montpellier - France
Prizes and honors
2021 - “Certificate of artistic excellence” 6th Circle Quarterly Art review Magazine, Circle Foundation for the Arts
2020 - Featured Artist - Posted by Artsy Shark
2018 - 2nd prize TRAM Art Fair, Ville Mont Royal
2016 - Artist invited to the Spring Salon of the Association of Painters of Longueuil, Longueuil
2015 - Mention - TRAM Art Fair, Town of Mount-Royal
2015 - Sponsors' Prize, TRAM Art Fair, Town of Mount-Royal
2014 - Bronze Medal – Contemporary Art Category - 30th International Sound and Light Visual Arts Gala, Montreal
2013 - 2nd prize in the non-figurative category - AAPARS autumn competition exhibition
2013 - 3rd Prize in Visual Arts – Abstraction - Symposium Art & Jardins, Boucherville
2012 - Mention La Grande Distinction In distinct technique - 29th International Gala of Sound and Light Visual Arts, Montreal
Jury
2016 - Expo-competition, AAPL, Jacques-Ferron Cultural Center, Longueuil
2016 - Exhibition competition, Halte des arts, Val des monts
Publications
2022 - “The ingenuous flexibility” Collection of paintings and poems, Véronique Besançon – Montreal - ISBN 978-2-9820486-1-4
2021 - “Vibration | Tension ¡ Sensation” - Collection of paintings and poems, Véronique Besançon – Montreal -ISBN 978-2-9820486-0-7
2021 - “A world at heart” - Collection of paintings and poems, Véronique Besançon – Montreal - ISBN 978-2-9816344-8-1
2020 - "Journal of confinement, Extracts - What we say about ourselves" Collection of poems and paintingsMontréal- ISBN 978-2-9816344-7-4
2020 - "Journal of confinement, Extracts - What we say about ourselves" Collection of poems and paintings
Montreal- ISBN 978-2-9816344-7-4
2019 - Artists for Peace Biennial - Exhibition catalog, Écomusée du Fier Monde, Montreal
2019 - "From coast to coast" - Collection of paintings and poems, Véronique Besançon – Montreal -ISBN 978-2-9816344-5- 0
2018 - "I implore the moment not to leave me" - Collection of poems and paintings - Montreal - ISBN 978-2-9816344-4-3
2018 - "Marie and Véronique make an exhibition" - Exhibition catalog - Montreal - 978-2-9816344-3-6
20 18 – "Speak to me of love" - Les impatients catalog , Montreal
2017 - "I am the traveling migrant" Exhibition catalog - Montreal - ISBN 978-2-9816344-2-9
2017 – “150 variations of metamorphoses”, Catalog of the 2016 autumn fair, Mont St Hilaire fine arts museums
2017- “I am…” Collection of paintings and poems, Véronique Besançon – ISBN 978-2-9816344-1-2
2017 – “ Horizon” Works of art selected by the Town of Mount Royal public collection – ISBN978-2-9804727-64-9
2016 – “SelfieDeNous l’Exil” Collection of paintings and poems, Véronique Besançon – ISBN 978-2-9816344-0-5
2017 – "Speak to me of love" - Catalog
2017 - 2016 - Women in Art – Catalogue, Curator Leda Maria, Ward-Nasse Gallery, New York
2016 – “150 variations of water stories”, Catalog of the 2016 Autumn Fair, Mont St Hilaire Fine Arts Museums
2016 - 15 - International Directory of Fine Arts – Art Diffusion
2015 - Artsy Shark Feed – Abstract Showcase
2014 - Bola Show - Catalogue
2013 - Babill'AAPARS – 10th edition of the AAPARS autumn competition-exhibition An unprecedented success! - Stéphane Bergeron
2013 - Be indignant! - Mile End Journal -
2013 - RueMasson.com - What do we say to ourselves when we are not speaking - Lisa Marie-Noël
2013 - Forum UdeM Nouvelles - Advisor and artist – Dominique Nancy