Marie-Josée Desjardins

Biography

A native of the Laurentians, Marie-Josée Desjardins earned her bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts from the Université du Québec à Montréal in 2019. The artist explores the representation of the female portrait through an image recycling process. She shapes the latter to create collages, which she then reinterprets in painting. Her paintings challenge beauty standards and open the door to the multiple possibilities of appearances. She aims to highlight the richness inspired by diversity. The influence of feminism, cubism, and pop culture is evident when one immerses oneself in her works.

Artist’s statement

I am primarily interested in the recycling of the female image. I create digital collage portraits, which I then bring to life through painting. In doing so, I question the medium of painting in the context of art history, restoring its original role of portrait creation. Consequently, I challenge the ideal of feminine beauty by altering and disarticulating certain parts of the face. Embroidery, on the other hand, references the history of women and the roles they played in households for centuries. The place of femininity in contemporary society, its diversity, varied origins, multiple roles, and challenges in the face of expectations, dominate my artistic reflection and animate my brush.

C.V.

Education

2015 to 2019	Bachelor’s degree in Visual and Media Arts / (Artistic Profile) , Université du Québec à Montréal
2013 to 2015	College diploma in visual arts , Cégep de Saint-Jérome

Solo exibitions

2023	Solo exhibition at the craft brewery “Gaspard” in Boucherville
2023	Solo exhibition with the Municipality of St-Hippolyte (September-November 2023)
2022	Microbrewery “MaBrasserie,” Montreal / Painting
2021	Café Hélico, Montreal / Watercolor paper prints and painting
2019	Microbrewery “Boswell,” Montreal / Painting

Group exibitions

2023	Acquisition of the work “Ode to the Legacies of the Past” for the private collection of the city of Sorel-Tracy
2023	La Prairie Art Competition, “Honorable Mention” for the work “Clara”
2023	Collective exhibition “Feminine inspirations” at the Galerie du Vieux St-Jean
2023	Acquisition of the work “Fauve” for the private collection of the city of St-Jean-sur-Richelieu
2023	Donation of the work “Matilda” to the organization “Les Impatients”
2021	Represented by the Galerie du Vieux St-Jean
2019	Exhibition of Lorraine artists and guests at the Galerie de L’UQAM
2019	Graduates’ Exhibition “Mitoses,” Atelier Belleville
2019	PLACE DES ARTS, video installation with 10 screens
2018	Exhibition of Lorraine artists and guests / Winner of the “Creation” award
2017	GHAM & DAFE, Fibres Students Association / Concordia University
2016	Galerie MTL375/ Artgang, Montreal, Rosemont la Petite Patrie, two-dimensional work for Montreal’s 375th anniversary
2016	Les Flâneurs Erratiques, Parc Régional Val-David / Multimedia projection “Parasite”
2015	Val-David Exhibition Center / Vocal performance

Other activites

2017, 2018	Teaching Assistant in Screen Printing
2017, 2018	Teaching assistant (engraving) with Josée Pellerin and Anne C.Thibault – Université du Québec à Montréal