Paul-Émile Borduas
(1905–)
(–1960)
Paul-Émile Borduas
1905–1960
Paul-Émile Borduas (1905–1960) was a Québécois artist known for his abstract paintings. He was the leader of the avant-garde Automatiste movement and the primary author of Le Refus global (Total Refusal) manifesto, an influential declaration calling for freedom of expression amongst a conservative Québec (1948).
Borduas apprenticed with the painter and church decorator Ozias Leduc who provided Borduas with basic artistic training. in 1919, Leduc arranged for Borduas' instruction at the École Technique in Sherbrooke, Québec. In 1923, he enrolled at the École des Beaux Arts de Montréal.
After graduation, Borduas was hired by the Montréal Catholic School Board as a high school art teacher.
In 1929, Borduas travelled to Paris and studied at the Ateliers d'Art Sacré. Borduas’ discovery of surrealism was a turning point in his career, and he became enveloped in the writing of Andre Breton. In 1938, he met John Lyman, who encouraged Borduas to become involved with the Contemporary Arts Society and in 1938, he was elected vice-president of this group. His 1942 exhibition at Montreal's Théâtre de l'Ermitage was met with critical acclaim.
The manifesto Le Refus global, written in 1948, initiated the Automatise movement. With strong political undertones in his work, he had a profound impact on Canadian art and challenged the conservative ideals of Québec. Unfortunately, his outspoken views against the Catholic Church and the right-wing policies of Maurice Duplessis cost him his teaching position. In 1953, Borduas moved to New York, having been influenced by artists such as Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock. This was of great importance to his artistic development as he transitioned to painting using only a palette knife.