The Matanese painter Philippe Giroux saw all of his work rewarded with a Gold Medal from the Academic Society of Arts, Sciences and Letters of Paris in October during the annual distribution ceremony organized by the French association .
The Paris Academy of Arts, Sciences and Letters aims to recognize and promote individuals who, through their work, contribute to the influence of culture in the artistic, literary and scientific fields.
To do this, the association, which is present in 22 countries, awards medals each year on the decision of its higher awards commission, following the analysis of the application files. Since 2010, 110 artists have been rewarded.
“Earlier this year, I was invited by my European agent Bénédicte Lecat to provide her with a series of documents – photos of my works, artistic approach, publications in magazines and newspapers, etc. – with which she prepared a file then presented to the Society’s awards commission,” says Philippe Giroux. “I was invited to the ceremony in Paris, but I did not make the trip. Madame Lecat received the Gold Medal on my behalf. It was with great emotion that I received the documents and the medal a few days later. »
This is a second international prize for the Matane artist, who has devoted himself fully to painting for nearly 12 years.
“For 6 years, things have gone up quite a bit [ma carrière] (laughs)! It’s a nice surprise in life. Since devoting myself almost entirely to my art, everything that has happened, how I became known – it’s crazy! A lot of this was done over the Internet. I have a few exhibitions under my belt of course, and I receive invitations to do them in Europe, but that involves a lot of expenses. I’m at a point where I would need additional funds to go further. Fortunately, my paintings have increased in value. This certainly means that, in certain cases, it is more the professionals and the companies who can afford them. It’s a new reality for me,” he explains.
“Happiness never comes alone”
In addition to receiving the Gold Medal from the Société Acadomique, Arts, Sciences et Lettres de Paris, Philippe Giroux, who has mastered the art of painting fishing scenes, has been the subject of extensive coverage in a prestigious media outlet dedicated to Atlantic salmon last month.
“As happiness never comes alone, the Atlantic Salmon Journal magazine devoted 10 pages to me in this fall’s issue. The article follows a long conversation with editor Mr. Martin Silverstone and appears on the pages of the magazine in French and English! For me, it’s an excellent link with the world of salmon fishermen,” he rejoices.
Remember that last summer, around twenty works by the Matanese painter were presented to the public as part of a visual art exhibition at the Matamajaw Fishing Heritage Site in Causapscal.
