ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
Montreal guts its historical buildings, or allows them to fall into ruin. Old houses risk falling prey to the demolisher's wrecking ball to make space for new construction. Ben's is on this list of vanished treasures, and others, like the Orange Julep and the Montreal Pool Room, may also soon be sacrificed.

Multidisciplinary artist Jimmy Deschênes is inspired by the aesthetic of our eroding architectural heritage, especially the styles of North-American cities in the 1940s - 1970s. He seees his artistic practice as a celebration of the styles of this era.

His work is focused on the equilibrium between volumes of light and shadow. Being a skilled wood worker and joiner, Deschênes works with heavy consruction materials such as those employed in contemporary architecture. Whether working in plaster, resin, or wood, his sculptures transmit both weight and gravity as well as floating voids.

Deschênes' approach to his art is based on a focus on formal aesthetics, paying special attention to his process of creation and the materiality of his work.

Exhibition Dates:
March 25 - April 17, 2010
Vernissage:
Saturday, March 27, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jimmy Deschênes was born in Sept-Îsles in 1970. He trained as a wood worker and joiner and is a self-taught artist. Deschênes worked as a furniture maker from 1994 - 1999 at Morin Tardif, Design Emphasis, and L'auberge Pierre du Calvet.

In 1999 he discovered interior design and combined his talents as artist and artisan. He created a multitude of decors, including interior architecture, furniture and lighting. In 2005 he collaborated with the Baldwin Barmacie to create an impressive illuminated artwork.

Since 2005 Deschênes works in his own studio creating unique works of art inspired by interior architecture. He branched out into working with translucent resins, and in 2005 created his first artwork made entirely out of polyester resin titled Plastic Chromatique. Since 2007 two of his large-scale wood sculptures feature prominently in the Vallier Restaurant.

Over the last years Deschênes has honed his talents as a sculptor, and the Visual Voice Art Gallery is delighted to present his first solo show.

For more info, visit the artist's website
www.dayshinegallery.com