An unexpected return
Having lived for nearly a decade in the urban fauna of Beijing, Dubai and Brooklyn, where the artist has chosen to live, Tremblay returns with an overwhelming and contagious energy in this book. His inspiring and exciting adventures have led him to explore new art techniques, push his artistic boundaries further and reaffirm his art.
The new book: “Sylvain Tremblay: Brooklyn, Beijing, Dubai, Montreal” tells his creative quest. We are witnesses to the history of his research, his doubts, his successes and his evolution as an artist. This large art book, printed in limited numbers, will be available in art galleries around the world who represent the artist.
I have always been fascinated by the human body. This theme is the focus of virtually all my artistic work. After my collegial studies, I considered becoming a medical illustrator. I saw it as a way of combining my twin passions for art and science, but I didn’t have the stomach for it: I found the idea of handling inert bodies repugnant!
And so, I found my own way of handling the human body. I think of myself as a visual artist who incorporates hyper-textured characters into his work. Representing flesh, they form an expression of the body and convey its emotions and sensitivity. These characters exist in abstract universes. They are sometimes women, sometimes men. I feel no need to define them: they are simply Man – human beings around whom the viewer can create his or her own scenario.
When I paint, I find it impossible to analyze my work method. It’s instinctive. I want the public to be able to interpret it in their own way. I want to leave a certain vagueness, so that viewers can discover the work and feel it for themselves. I try to suggest rather than showing. Through shapes, colors and textures, I leave the viewer in a world of suggestions. I always appreciate it when people tell me what they see or perceive: for me, that’s what the work is about. All of this requires me to be flexible.
In most of my pieces, the contrast between high-gloss varnish and matt canvas makes the subject stand out. The mirror effect of the varnish makes the looker an integral part of the work. I use relief, manipulating the surface to suggest that the subject is stepping out of the pictorial environment. My art is intuitive.
Sylvain Tremblay, born in Quebec City in 1966, is a Canadian artist whose journey began in graphic design. After obtaining his degree, he spent several years as an illustrator before transitioning in 2002 to a full-time painter. His artwork has graced exhibitions across Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with representation in renowned galleries like Opera Gallery, Galerie d’art Iris, and Thompson Landry Gallery.
Tremblay's versatility extends beyond the gallery walls. He has participated in live painting events, notably marking his presence at the Thompson Landry Gallery's 10th anniversary in 2016 and the Arab Fashion Week in Dubai in 2015. His 2017 contributions included participation in “Personal Structure,” an exhibit set within the esteemed Venice Biennale of Art, and the premiere of his Leonardo da Vinci documentary at le Château du Clos Lucé. That same year, he unveiled his second book, "SYLVAIN TREMBLAY: Brooklyn, Dubai, Beijing, Montreal".
A particularly memorable feat was in 2014 when Tremblay, from a hot-air balloon in the Dubai desert, threw tri-colored sand onto a canvas, crafting a portrait of Sheikh Zayed. This artistic gesture underlined his respect for the UAE's local traditions and communities.
Between 2012 and 2015, Tremblay embarked on a profound exploration of gender duality, meeting intersex individuals across France, Morocco, Taiwan, and South Africa. This journey culminated in several art pieces, a compelling video, and his book, "NO GENDER".
In 2016, Tremblay was among the three artists representing Canada at the G20 summit in China. Four years earlier, he was honored by the Canadian Embassy during the fourth Canada Week in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In 2010, the Canada Council for the Arts and Cirque du Soleil showcased his art at the Canada Pavilion during Expo 2010 in Shanghai. By 2005, he had already represented Quebec at the Semaine du Québec in Silly, Belgium, and achieved accolades at the sixth Art International Zurich contemporary art fair in 2004, winning top honors across all four continents.