Martine St-Clair opens the doors of her abstract art creation workshop to the public

We know her as a Quebec performer who has sold more than a million albums, but many people are unaware that Martine St-Clair has been painting for almost 25 years. For two days, the artist opens the doors of his creative workshop in Sainte-Thérèse to the public by presenting his first solo exhibition: Emotions.

“In abstract art, it’s really the painting that leads. It’s the work that brings you to the emotions,” explains Martine St-Clair with softness in her voice.

Since her beginnings in painting in 2000, this is the first time that Martine St-Clair has felt ready to welcome people into her creative den. It must be said that with around a hundred works to her credit, the designer had enough to build a rich exhibition.

“I also wanted to see my journey. Emotionsit’s me, my fragility, my sensitivity. For me, abstract art is hope. This is why I love painting so much. The hope that things will get better in the world, the hope of finishing a work. We need hope and that’s what leads me to choose colors that give it,” explains the 62-year-old singer.

She creates her abstract art paintings directly on the floor, surrounded by all her tubes of paint. Thus surrounded, she selects her hues, her textures and her juxtapositions.

She works a lot with her hands, and a little with a brush.

His works – which are mostly presented in large formats – are made up of both bright and soft colors and, indeed, give rise to beautiful emotions.

Here, hope in the green reminiscent of jade stone. There, the tree of life referring to this nature that we must preserve. Further afield, forays into imaginary worlds with golden or pinkish touches.

Influences and tributes

“I have always trusted my instinct and my confidence, but now, I have no choice but to have confidence in myself, because I am all alone in front of my work. There is no director, musician, or producer,” explains Martine St-Clair, attesting that her two professions feed each other.

Several influences and homages are felt throughout the three exhibition rooms: Jackson Pollock (her painting was however created with marbles), small touches of Pop Art à la Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat , Riopelle, Joan Mitchell and Alfred Pellan.

Various materials were also used, such as pieces of porcelain plates given to him by his mother, glued onto one of his creations.

Moreover, the superb Take me in your arms is a work created in homage to his mother who died last summer, whom the artist took care of during the last six years of her life.

“I held her in my arms until the end. It’s his painting,” breathes the artist, who launched a song of the same title simultaneously.

This foray into the world of Martine St-Clair reflects the image of the singer and the woman she is: gentle, moving, accessible and luminous.

-Martine St-Clair invites the public to discover her exhibition Emotions and his workshop this Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28 from noon to 6 p.m. at the Espace art et culture located at 71, rue Dubois in Sainte-Thérèse.