Montreal-based artist, Etienne Chartrand, credits his early years of doing graffiti as the source for his unique style of painting. By this admission, he has joined a growing list of taggers that began their foray into the arts by being exposed to raw expression from the streets. Chartrand (also known by his tagging name Nixon) has moved on from random concrete as a way to capture his creativity and now looks to canvas to communicate his visions.
The collection of canvases by Nixon now on show at the Espace Robert Poulin are charged with vibrant energy and whimsical talent. Graffiti art can, by its very nature, act as a voice for youth lamenting the harsh realities of the street, but for Chartrand no such heavy overtones exist in his work. His creations come to life in a world filled with happy, unassuming characters that are the product of boyhood fantasy. Working with mixed media on canvas, there are countless ships and wondrous machines with anthropomorphic qualities strewn about the scene. Another popular motif are ecstatic dinosaurs which are far from the lumbering creatures found in science text books, but are instead presented in vibrant tones of colour. They pop out of dreamy thought clouds and become magical creatures, traipsing about in an urban ‘wonderland’.
Those familiar with the underground comic book scene of the late 60s will see the influences of Robert Crumb and the work of Harvey Kurtzman (MAD magazine). If you closely you will also see an homage to some of the work of Tex Avery, who was part of the golden age of American animation. Along for the ride are humanoids who are nonsensical in appearance with bulging eyes, overgrown teeth and massive lips further accentuated by stunned looks on their warped faces. These are characters that are there purely for their own sake and do not need to offer any particular message to justify their existence.
There is no particular theme to Chartrand’s paintings; his work is a representation of disjointed dreams with a quick succession of images. Working with a rainbow of colours by way of spray paint, oil and ink, he gives his creations texture and depth. Subjects are superimposed one upon the other and despite the highly charged moment, Chartrand is successful at being able to imbue each character with their own individuality that blends together smoothly within their unique environment.
Be sure not to miss Chartrand and his “friends†in full play at Espace Robert Poulin until July 6th, 2013.
Espace Robert Poulin, space 411
Etienne (Nixon) Chartrand
Recent Works
June 2 – July 6, 2013
www.espacerobertpoulin.com
