Door Open to Nature

While Breton has experimented with watercolour, ink, charcoal and pastel, his medium of choice is oil, which he applies on the canvas with a palette knife to create unique textures. His exceptional palette strokes and his ability to fuse asymmetrical strokes and movements into a concise painting is one of his most recognizable traits. Breton compares his work to poetry; a visual poetry inspired by the shapes, colours and movements of the wilderness. Amateurs and collectors alike appreciate his passion for nature, evident in all of his work.

BIOGRAPHY

Born in Johnville, Baie-du-Febvre, Quebec in 1942, Yvon Breton demonstrated artistic ability from an early age. He enrolled at Montreal’s École des Beaux-Arts in 1962, five years later winning the prestigious Prince Fine Arts Award at the Canadian National Exhibition. In 1988, Breton became the first Quebecer to be awarded the Prix René d’Anjou from the French government. His early success led him to fully dedicate himself to his artistic practice.

EDUCATION

1959-62            École des Beaux-Arts, Montreal, Quebec (Graphic & Visual Arts)

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2001                 Stephen Lowe Art Gallery, Calgary, AB (Duo Show with Alex Fong)

2010                 State of the Art Gallery, Toronto, ON

2005-1998       Galerie Les Peintres Québécois, QC

2005-2000       Galerie Québec-Art, Quebec, QC

1998                 Galerie Michel-Ange, Montreal, QC

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2016                 Chase Art Gallery, Beaconsfield, QC

2010                 Stephen Lowe Art Gallery, Calgary, AB

2003-1998      Galerie Michel-Ange, Montreal, QC

2002                 Ville Saint-Laurent, QC

2001                 Galerie Art & Style, Baie-Saint-Paul, QC

1999                 Musée régional Vaudreuil-Soulanges, QC

1998-94           Galerie Pauline Johnson, Montreal, QC

1998                 Musée des Beaux-Arts, Montreal, QC

HONOURS AND AWARDS

1988                 Prix René d’Anjou, ville de Lorraine, Quebec, Canada 1st Prize, open category, Association Culturelle Ste-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec, Canada

1967                 Winner of the Price Fine Art Award

PUBLICATIONS

Magazinart, Le poète des formes et couleurs (Dominic Villeneuve), No. 89, 2010

Guide Parcours, Montreal, February 1998

COLLECTIONS

Ass. Gravel & Ginchereau, Montréal

Banque Nationale du Canada

BSI Inc., Montréal

Caisses populaires Desjardins

Hydro-Québec

Systenatix, Montréal

Assurances La Capitale

Bombardier, Valcourt

CAE Electronics, Saint-Laurent

Canadian Pacific

Petro Canada Corporation des entrepreneurs généraux du Québec

Groupe Lyras

Ross Avocats Inc., Ste-Thérèse

University of California, Berkeley (hung in the Chancellor’s Residence)

CN Facility Management