Paul Fournier
(1939–)
Paul Fournier
1939–
Paul Fournier (1939– ) is a Canadian painter who rose to prominence as a key figure among the third-generation non-figurative artists in Toronto during the 1960s. Born in Simcoe, Ontario, Fournier spent his formative years in Hamilton, where he received guidance from painter Jean Wishart and attended Central Secondary School. He then pursued his artistic education at the Ontario College of Art and Design, settling in Toronto in 1959, where he currently resides and maintains a studio. During his time at McMaster University, Fournier had the opportunity to explore etching as a guest artist under the mentorship of George Wallace.
Fournier’s vibrant and abstract body of work encompasses a range of painting styles. Initially, he incorporated recognizable landscapes and symbolic objects in his compositions, gradually transitioning towards abstract expressionism and gestural pieces like Screaming Head (1962) and The Flute Player (1968). In recognition of his artistic contributions, Fournier was bestowed with an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University in 1996. Additionally, he served as an artist-in-residence at Wilfrid Laurier University during 1969–70 and taught as a sessional instructor at the University of Guelph.
His work has also been featured in prestigious shows, such as 14 Canadians: A Critic's Choice (1977) at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, curated by critic Andrew Hudson, and The New Generation: A Curator's Choice (1980) at the Andre Emmerich Gallery in New York, curated by Kenworth Moffett from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. In addition to receiving an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from Sir Wilfrid Laurier University, Fournier’s paintings have found homes in notable public collections, including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada. His artwork is also held in private collections across the United States, South America, and Europe.