Denys Matte

Denys Matte was born in 1930 in Cap-Santé (Quebec). He was first known as a singer and host under the name of Alain Denys. In 1952, he began his studies at the École des beaux-arts de Québec under the supervision of Jean-Paul Lemieux and Benoît East. Still studying, the artist won the Grand Prix at the Salon de Mai in 1953, then the Grand Prix of the Province of Quebec and to top it all off, the scholarship from the Canadian Academy of Arts in 1956. He is also a member. of the five painters chosen for the national qualifiers for the Harry F. Guggenheim International Prize.

The year 1955 marks the creation of the Society of Plastic Arts of the province of Quebec, chaired by Jean-Paul Lemieux and Claude Picher as secretary. One of the goals of this society was to create a community of artists allowing them to make a living from their art and to promote it outside the major centers of Montreal and Quebec. Member of this society, Denys Matte exhibited his works in Arvida and Ottawa.

In 1956, he exhibited 36 works at the Galerie Agnès Lefort in Montreal. Of this exhibition, Paul Gladu writes, in the newspaper Notre Temps of October 1956, this: "In short, a painting which goes from depth to exuberance, a painting which does not preach, which does not describe and which does not offers no unsolvable riddles: It depicts a certain world for us, as conceived by a certain soul, and it makes us participate in an intimate happiness. " and Rodolphe de Repentigny to add "A control of the trade and an elegance of the form rather rare are two features which reveal the exhibition of Denys Matte at the gallery Agnès Lefort"

He finished his studies in 1956 and the same year obtained a grant from the Government of Quebec to continue his studies in Paris. He then enrolled at the Académie Julian to perfect his engraving and painting techniques. During his stay in Europe, Denys Matte, the painter created a vast production of gouaches from Mediterranean landscapes that he will bring back for Quebec exhibitions; and in return, Alain Denys, the singer will follow the teachings of the great Mireille and will perform on various Parisian stages including the famous Olympia.

From the late 1950s to the early 1960s, Denys Matte took part in numerous group exhibitions, including the Canadian Biennial of Painting, which also included works by Bellefleur, Borduas, Lemieux and Riopelle. In 1959, these works will go to New York at Canada House on 5th Avenue in a joint exhibition with artists such as Louis Belzile, Guido Molinari and Rita Letendre.

In 1962, Denys Matte exhibited at the Galerie Libre in Montreal, and the newspaper Le Devoir of October 25, 1965 quotes: With Matte, it is possible to talk about material that sings. This is a dazzling painting. "

Denys Matte's teaching career will begin with the opening of his workshop welcoming, among other things, students preparing to enter fine arts schools.

The Musée des beaux-arts de Québec dedicated a retrospective to the artist in 1973.

In 2003, Denys Matte illustrated the last work of the writer Francine Allard, Vocalises sur un sanglot published by Editions Trois in Laval

He died in 2019 at the age of 89

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