Naive art is little known and often ignored in Quebec, unlike Europe where it holds its own with other art forms. Thanks to Jeannine Blais, this situation is beginning to change.
A nurse by training and mother of six children, Jeannine Blais has long been involved with cultural institutions in the Sherbrooke area. She has also collected art for thirty five years, especially the works of Naive artist because their motivation is not profit or celebrity.
This interest led her to the courageous step of opening a gallery devoted to Naive art alone. She had met artists in Europe eager to be represented in North America and news of her gallery spread quickly. The world of Naive painters is small and very few galleries represent them.
Jeannine Blais opened her gallery in May 1986 in North Hatley, a spot she chose because of the large number of visitors. She started with one exhibition room but opened a second six months later. The official opening was held a year later, "better a late opening than a premature closing", she said.
The success of her gallery has surprised even her. The Yugoslav and Haitian artists in particular have been popular. In both countries, Naive art is not an isolated occupation as in Quebec but practiced by entire villages. She believes that interest in Naive art spring from a desire for a simpler world.
Among Quebec artists, she shows Ernest Gendron, Yvonne Bolduc, Anne-Marie Bost,Cécile Emond, Marie Gélinas, and Arthur Villeneuve ( who is known in Europe and the United States). Several of these artists have begun late in life. Cécile Emond produced her first works at age 45, Marie Gélinas at 74.
Today, several Montreal galleries are showing the works of Naive artists and interest has been awakened in the academies world too. Jeannine Blais is much in demand as speaker and her openings attract people from Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec. In fact, more than half of her clientele comme from outside Quebec.
In her gallery, Jeannine Blais only shows artists whose work she likes. Behind her success is a huge amount of work, determinations, conviction and energy.
Catherine Guex
Translation; Fiona Malins
Published in
MAGAZIN'ART
2° ANNÉE, N° 2 HIVER 1989
ÉDITION INTERNATIONALE