10 Questions with Julien Perreault

Julien Perreault grew up in Le Bic, a small village bordered by the St. Lawrence River and its islands, a few hundred kilometers from the Capitale-Nationale. He taught himself to paint, lulled by the artistic influences of his aunts, painter and photographer Céline Côté, and percussionist, composer, and improviser Danielle Palardy Roger. He was fascinated by Quebec’s famed Automatiste movement, the Canadian Arctic, and the resonance of industrial architecture in the work of Marc Gosselin.

Perreault has always been drawn to the natural world. After years spent studying arts and literature, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Naval Combat Information Operator. His military service had a profound influence on his artistic career. The people he met and faraway places he saw continue to keep his creative flame burning brightly. His work has received international acclaim. Most notably, he won a silver medal at the 51st CAPSQ International Exhibition and Contest in Paris. His most recent statement is the series “Into the Woods”, a reflection on wildfires and climate changes.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

While Perreault’s work often explores the grandeur of nature, he is equally concerned with humanity’s increasing detrimental effect on the health of the planet. He is determined to use his work to call attention to the impending climate catastrophe and inspire meaningful change before it is too late.
Searching for pure and liberated expression, with no criticism of the movement of thought, Perreault questions the place of affectivity in studying forms and materials. He works in successive layers, letting body movements compose their own narrative. He uses natural and recycled materials such as sand, hemp, plastic, porcelain, and glass to produce his body of work.
This gives his work a highly distinctive voice - unique to Perreault but belonging to the world at large. He continues to explore new ways of bringing his visions to life while remaining a passionate advocate for climate action.

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you, and how did you start experimenting with images?

I am a very anxious caffeine-addicted person! Ha! Ha! I grew up in Le Bic, a small village bordered by the St. Lawrence River and its islands. I started experimenting with acrylics in college, lulled by the artistic influences of my aunts: abstract painter and photographer Céline Côté, and percussionist, composer, and improviser Danielle Palardy Roger.

How would you define yourself as an artist?

I am obsessed with nature and fascinated by Les Automatistes, an artistic movement founded in Quebec in the early 1940s. This collective published "Refus global" a declaration of artistic independence and expressive freedom that always inspired me to create in the way I wanted.

You enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy and worked as a Naval Combat Information Operator. Can you tell us more about it? And how did it influence your painting?

The Royal Canadian Navy is a great organization. I can travel to so many countries, push my limits, and meet incredible people. As a Naval Combat Information Operator, I am responsible for the operation of all shipboard surveillance radars and assist and advise the ship's leadership in navigation, anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and anti-submarine warfare. I use this time away from home to take a step back and ponder my art.

Tell us about the process of creating your work. What is your artistic routine when working?

Alright! First, I brew a cup of coffee... or two, then play a piece of music that will channel my emotions. I paint in successive layers, adding material and texture without conscious control over the making process, allowing the unconscious mind to work its magic.

You work with abstraction, but you incorporate natural and recycled materials. What would you like to communicate with your work? What are the main themes you pursue?

Climate change and natural disasters have occupied significant space in my narrative these last few years. The world is changing permanently, and as a collective, it is time for us to act in consequence. I want my work to be a wake-up call. I use cotton, glass, hemp, plastic, papier-mâché, porcelain, wood, etc., in the production of my work. It is a way to stay connected with nature while promoting recycling and waste reduction.

Your abstract paintings have vivid and striking colors. How do you choose your palette, and what does it represent for you?

The color palette is very important. It is the first thing people notice. In my work, I use lots of blues, greens, and reds. Sometimes, colors are associated with natural elements: fire-red, water-blue, earth-green, etc.

Do you find that the shift to digital exhibitions and art fairs has helped you promote your work?

Yes, definitively! It creates more opportunities for us to promote our work. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for industries to make use of digital. It is also, unlike some events, a way more accessible way of putting yourself and your work forward. In the last few years, I have counted more online exhibitions than in-person ones.

What do you think about the art community and market? And what do you do to keep them engaged in your work?

Mhmmm... This is a good question. Very intricate I would say. With so many horizons and so many points of view, it is hard sometimes to find your place, especially at the beginning when you are still trying to build your own identity. It can become confusing quickly. Remember this, consistency is the key! I try to post on my social media daily while creating special content to promote my brand. For example, I published a catalog portfolio of my work a month ago and introduced clothing to my brand.

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? Anything exciting you can tell us about?

Right now, I'm working on a mix of various pieces but not on a new series yet. I have in mind an exhibition, a collaboration with someone I appreciate a lot. Ha! Ha! It would take place during the summer, but I can't tell you more. I guess you will have to stay tuned to not miss a thing!

Finally, share something you would like our readers to know about you. 

I have an identical twin who, unlike me, is absolutely not into art.