Dominic Besner
For approximately the last ten years Dominic Besner has dedicated the entirety of his time to his art in an effort to aesthetically represent his view of the world. His paintings, colorful and moving, are rooted in architectural studies, as well as inspired by the works of his teachers, and his walks along the streets of Montreal. His art bears witness to an insistent and amused gaze on the world.
Deeply moved by the degeneration of the body, by a physicality that imprints itself upon the retina and is cause for reflection, Besner brings into existence scarred personages and traces of a fragmented past; these creatures, who are occasionally shadows of themselves, embrace their destiny without hesitation. These fabulous “fauves” or untamed beasts, which dwell within all of us, inspired in part by Otto Dix, Edvard Munch, Leonor Fini, and Nicolas de Crecy, cartoonist, move through the city, vulnerable and gnawed by hope.
Many events and exhibits have taken place over the years; the most recent, entitled Excess of the Coveted was presented at the Centre CDP Capital in Montreal on November 9, 2004. The opening event was attended by more than 2500 guests. In 2007, Besner has been invited to stage a multi-city museum tour in Morocco, has had openings in Paris, France, and participated in an international publicity event for the Cirque du Soleil.
Two books have also been published by the artist: La démesure des convoités. Dominic Besner (2000 – 2004) and Dominic Besner (1993 – 2000).
RESUME
Solo Exhibits
2007 Au fil de L’Art, galerieMX, Montreal
2007 Expo solo Venise Cadre, Morocco
2007 Musee Vaudreui-Soulange, La Nuit de Cites, Canada
2007 Au fil de L’Art, Villa des Arts, Casablanca
2004 Excess of the Coveted, Centre CDP Capital, Montreal
2004 Beyond the Xth City, Head Office of the Cirque du Soleil, Montreal
2002 The Cries of the Moon, Galerie Estampe Plus, Quebec
2000 Galerie Saint-Dizier, Montreal
2000 Besner in Baie-Saint-Paul, Galerie d’Art Iris, Baie-Saint-Paul, Canada
1998 A Bit of Theatre, Galerie Estampe Plus, Quebec
1995 Galerie Naomi, Montreal
Public Juried Exhibits
2003 Museum de Las Artes of the University of Guadalajara, Mexico
2004 Exhibit organized by Loto-Quebec
2000 Pierre-Boucher Museum, Trois Rivieres, Canada
Public Collections
Charlevoix Casino
Flora Canada
Hull Casino Loto-Quebec
Royal Canadian Mint
Corporate Collections
Assurance La Capitale
Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa, Atlantic City (USA)
Cirque du Soleil
La Cle de Sol
Gowling, Lafleur, Henderson, avocats
Imprimerie Quad
Quebec Federation of Specialist Doctors
Publications
2004 BESNER, Dominic. La démesure des convoités. Dominic Besner (2000-
2004), Montreal Mensi and Rioux, 2004, 161 p.
2000 BESNER, Dominic. Dominic Besner (1993–2000), Montreal, Mensi and Rioux, 2000, 128p.