For its 28th edition, the Symposium will open the doors of its Pop-Up Museum for three days only.
The exhibition will be dedicated to Jean-Paul Mousseau, one of Quebec’s most important artists of the twentieth century, whose work profoundly transformed the province’s artistic landscape.
Born in Montreal in 1927, Jean-Paul Mousseau began his artistic training under Paul-Émile Borduas at the École du meuble de Montréal. He later became one of the leading members of the Automatist movement, a group of artists who, during the 1940s and 1950s, sought to break away from established traditions and pave the way for a new freedom of artistic expression.
Jean-Paul Mousseau
No title
Picture: MNBAQ
Throughout his career, Mousseau explored the expressive possibilities of colour, light, and space. His practice quickly evolved beyond traditional painting to embrace sculpture, immersive environments, murals, and works created in dialogue with architecture.
Jean-Paul Mousseau
Light fixture made of fiberglass and colored resin
Picture: Heffel.com
A deeply innovative artist, Jean-Paul Mousseau was particularly fascinated by light as an artistic medium. His exploration of vibrant colours, dynamic forms, and luminous compositions reflects his desire to create experiences in which the artwork is no longer simply observed but becomes an environment to be experienced.
His many public art commissions exemplify this distinctive approach. For Mousseau, art belonged in everyday life and should engage in a dialogue with the places that house it. His architectural integrations remain among the landmark achievements of modern Quebec art.
Jean-Paul Mousseau in his studio, 1961
Picture: Paul-Henri Talbot, La Presse archives
Through this exhibition, the Pop-Up Museum invites visitors to discover the many phases of Jean-Paul Mousseau’s artistic career, from his years with the Automatist movement to his major explorations of light and public art.
Visitors will have the opportunity to view artworks, archival documents, and interpretive materials that shed light on the career of this visionary artist, whose work helped redefine the boundaries between painting, sculpture, and architecture.
Recognized as a pioneer in the integration of art into public space in Quebec, Mousseau leaves a remarkable legacy that continues to resonate through its boldness, vitality, and relentless spirit of innovation.
The Bromont en art Symposium Pop-Up Museum
presents
Jean-Paul Mousseau: Colour, Light and Space
At the St. John’s Cultural Centre
Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Free admission
