Rene Lemay
Born in Montréal in 1934, Lemay felt a strong inclination toward the arts since his early childhood. Despite this, he practiced various trades before finally giving free rein to his passion in 1983. He learned ceramics and lithography and, in the 1970s and 1980s, founded an artisanal pottery studio and a publishing company. He followed this atypical path back to the visual arts, later earning a reputation as a watercolourist.
In 1990, he participated in his first of many professional exhibitions. His subsequent work in acrylic is known for its vibrant hues, its liveliness and its expressions of delight. In the 1990s, Lemay began travelling extensively. These travels marked a turning point in his artistic journey, as can be seen in his choice of colours and his paintings’ subjects. During this period, the Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Asia became the epicenters of his creative universe. He sketched the inspiration for his work in Thailand, China, Bali, Vietnam and Singapore. In Hanoi, he learned techniques such as lacquer and, more recently, bronze sculpture from the masters. Today, Lemay's Gallery is still open to public during summer time, in Magdalen Islands.
BIRTH
Montreal, Canada, 1934
DEATH
Quebec, Canada, 2015
MEDIUM
Acrylic | Lacquer | Mixed media | Etching | Dry points | Bronze sculpture
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Regroupement des Artistes en Arts Visuels du Québec (RAAV) | 2002
Arrimage | 2003
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Bronze Sculpture - Mr Hoc Bao | Vietnam | 2012
Lacquer - Fine Art University | Vietnam | 1998-2000
Engraving - Evelyn Dufour | Canada | 1995-1996
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
Sea Museum | Canada | 2018
Michel-Ange | Canada | 2013
Carpediem Galleries | Thailand | 2010
Joie de vivre Art Exhibition | Thailand | 2010
Vie Hotel | Thailand | 2010
Sofitel Silom | Thailand | 2007
Viet Fine Art Gallery | Vietnam | 2006
Carpediem Galleries | Thailand | 2006
Maison de la Culture Ahuntsic | Canada | 2005
L'Harmattan Gallery | Canada | 2003
Basque Gallery | Canada | 1991 & 2001
Klimantiris Gallery | Canada | 1994-1995 & 1998
Café de la Grave | Canada | 1994
Aird Gallery | Canada | 1991
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
À Marée Basse Gallery | Magdalen Island | 2017
Michel-Ange Gallery | Montreal | 2017
Hommage Symposium de peinture figurative de l'Étang-du-Nord | Canada | 2016
Belvedere Gallery | Singapour | 2014
Michel-Ange Gallery | Canada | 2011
Exposition Agenda Art Quebec | Canada | 2010
Michel-Ange Gallery | Canada | 2010
Celebrations | Canada | 2010
L'Harmattan Gallery | Canada | 2003-2012
Michel Ange Gallery | Canada | 2004-11
Arma Museum | Indonesia | 2004
Hanoi Fine Arts University | Vietnam | 2003
Symposium de peinture figurative | Canada | 1998-2003
Symposium mer Oceane | Canada | 1998-2000
Klimantiris Art Gallery | Canada | 1992 & 1998
Galerie Basque | Canada | 1997
New York Art Expo | USA | 1993 & 1995
Eliette Dufour Gallery | Canada | 1993
Michel-Ange Gallery | Canada | 1992
Aird Gallery | Canada | 1991
Manoir Globensky | Canada | 1990
GALLERIES
Five 3 Gallery | Laguna Beach | USA
L'Harmattan Gallery | Baie-Saint Paul | Canada
Michel-Ange Gallery | Montreal | Canada
Richelieu Art Gallery | Montreal | Canada
Rendez-Vous Art Gallery | Vancouver | Canada
Perreault Gallery | Quebec | Canada
Pilar Shephard Gallery | Charlottetown | Canada
Carpediem Galleries | Bangkok | Thailand
Viet Fine Art Gallery | Hanoi | Vietnam
Galerie Belvédère | Singapore | Singapore
Agung Rai Gallery | Bali | Indonesia
Gajah Mass Gallery | Bali | Indonesia
Arma Museum | Bali | Indonesia
CORPORATE AND PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Société Générale | France-Canada
Caisse Populaire | Canada
Microsoft | USA
Sofitel Silom | Thailand
Vie Hotel | Thailand
Hamilton Golf Club Public Gallery | Canada
Dean Evans Inc. | Canada
Electromaid International Fauldine | Canada
Innovative Center | Canada
Télé-Globe | Canada
Gilles St-Croix | Cirque du Soleil | Canada
La Ferme Hotel | Baie-St-Paul | Canada
Jean-Pierre Léger | St-Hubert Restaurants | Canada
Oratoire Saint-Joseph Museum | Canada
Arma Museum | Bali | Indonesia
MEDIA COVERAGE
Magazin'Art, Sur les traces de René Lemay, 2018
CBC, Les Îles, au coeur de l'oeuvre de René Lemay (1934-2015), 2018
Le Radar, Deux fils : la reconstruction de l'héritage de René Lemay, 2018
CFIM, Les Îles, au coeur de l'oeuvre de René Lemay (1934-2015), 2018
Le Radar, René Lemay, des croquis jamais dévoilés à la Galerie Marée Basse, 2017
Le Radar, Hommage à René Lemay, 2016
CBC, Mort d'un artiste Atypique, 2015
World Art Book, Volume 7, 2013
Magazin'Art, Répertoire biennal des artistes canadiens en galeries, 2000-2012
Guide Utilis, Agenda des Arts, 1994-2012
Guide Utilis, Page couverture d'Agenda des Arts, 2008
Pamphlet, Contemporary Realism, In association with Galleries, 2008
Bangkok Post, A Splash of colors Canadian Artist Rene Lemay, 2007
Parcours des arts, René Lemay - Du côté de l'orient, 2007
The Nations, Canadian Artist René Lemay Exhibits in Bangkok, 2007
Bangkok Post, Exhibition Carpediem Galleries, Canadian Artist Rene Lemay, 2006
VietNamNet Bridge, Canadian Painter open new horizons, 2006
Vietnam News - The national English Language Daily, Happy days in Vietnam, 2006
Art Knowledge News, Canadian René Lemay exhibits in Bangkok, 2006
Vietnam National Television, Opening exhibition - Happy Days in Vietnam, 2006
LARASATI, Asia Fine Art Auction in Singapore, 2004
Bali local television, News on Foreigner – Interview by Agung Rai, Artist René LemayTraveling in Asia, 2004
Guide Parcours, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003
Espace Musique - Radio-Canada, Interview avec Chantal Joli, 2002
The First Informer, Symposium on the island, 1998
Le Radar, Magdelen Island to Asia, 1998
Magazin’art, Comtemporary Realism - Celebration on canvas by Paul Gladu,1996
Peinture, culture et réalités québécoises, La Palette ed., 1992.
Radio-Canada, Interview avec Lise Bonnenfant sur l’exposition solo «Leitmotive» à la Galerie Basque, 1991
200 visions nouvelles, La Palette ed., 1990