Normand Hudon

(1929 - 1997)

Canadian artist, R.C.A.

The Canadian painter Normand Hudon was born on June 5, 1929 in Montreal. He began his studies at the Querbes Academy and École Saint-Viateur. In 1945, Normand Hudon drew for the cover pages of the Press. He began his studies at the École des Beaux-Arts in Montreal in 1947, I am drawing classes under the supervision of Jean Simard.

Normand Hudon participates in the 66th Spring Salon of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts with his work Pointe-au-Pic. In 1948, he began his caricaturist job at La Patrie and Le Petit Journal. The following year, Normand Hudon left for France to study at the Academy of Montmartre in Paris under the direction of the painter Fernand Léger. During his stay in France, Hudon met the painter Picasso. Upon his return to Quebec, Normand Hudon worked as a caricaturist in cabarets while retaining his freelance position for newspapers. Starting in 1952, Normand Hudon began his broadcast on Radio-Canada with Gérard Delage who made him famous in the province. The first major exhibition of the painter Hudon will be held at the Agnes Lefort Gallery in 1956.
He will be recognized by many as a cartoonist more fun than nasty. From 1958 to 1961, he worked full time for Le Devoir. In 1961, he was engaged in La Presse until 1965. At the same time, he made appearances on the small screen in various programs. He realizes every day two to three drawings. Normand Hudon made the front page of Time Magazine Canada in 1965 with the caricature of Marc Favreau. He then received the commission to create a work in four panels for the ceiling of the Expo 67 Energy Pavilion which followed by a mural for the pavilion of humor at Terre des Hommes.

In 1968, Normand Hudon founded Le Poing, a humorous magazine and in 1970 the Normand Hudon Academy for the teaching of drawing by correspondence. In 1973, the Press organized with the participation of the artist a drawing contest which was a great success. The impression that emerges from his paintings is that of a childish and mischievous gaiety. These favorite subjects are found in the popular neighborhoods of the metropolis, religious schools, judges and lawyers.

He died at the age of 68.