Videos
Artist at work
Short documentary film
Simon Trepanier / Director
"Time Stands Still"
Transition under UV light
ARTIST STATEMENT
The direction of my personal and artistic development was bridged early. My approach to the painting process is an intuitive one. For me the journey is an encounter with life’s mystery and the process of making art is likewise a journey.My belief is that art is a vehicle to transcend personal egoistic values, and reveal an important and valid internal technology.
Over three decades I have experimented with a variety of styles and processes, most of them unconventional and highly personalized.
One of the techniques I have employed throughout my career involves luminescent paint. In using the latest technologies and materials, I am able to provide a series of relative transitions within the same painted subject. When a black light is projected onto the surface, a visual transformation occurs, rendering the invisible.
The subject of my painting is juxtaposed with and influenced by the real world environment, and my personal experiences. My work with nature as a landscape designer, my interest in sculpture, environmental installations (Tantramar Symposium), and experiments in painting all come together.
The themes (see Artwork) evolve out of firsthand experiences, and are influenced by my interest in esoteric philosophy, eastern art, tai chi chuan, and Zen gardens. They stimulate my research and help me to develop a symbolic language that is present in the art.
The sojourn I have undertaken was to reveal through art that which is hidden and mysterious, yet something I feel deeply.
The themes (see Artwork) evolve out of firsthand experiences, and are influenced by my interest in esoteric philosophy, eastern art, tai chi chuan, and Zen gardens. They stimulate my research and help me to develop a symbolic language that is present in the art.
The sojourn I have undertaken was to reveal through art that which is hidden and mysterious, yet something I feel deeply.
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1949, Géza Hermann escaped his native country during the 1956 revolution. His artistic training includes apprenticeship and studies with the Russian icon painter Valentine Firsoff Shebaeff, with Guido Molinari and Yves Gaucher, as well as the sculptors Paul Neagu and John Ivor Smith amongst others.In 1967 he begins his first series of nature studies. After Expo in the same year, is encouraged to travel to Europe to study the works of the great masters.
In 1968 he lives in England, France, Germany, Hungary, Holland and Austria. Later that year, he returns to Canada to work on the Churchill Falls power project in Labrador. Coming back to Montreal in 1970, he begins experiments with luminescent pigments which continue to the present day.
In 1973 he begins to study Tai Chi Chuan with Tam Chuck Ying as well as the ideas of G.I. Gurdjieff, J. Krishnamurti and Eastern art and Philisophy. He continues experiments with fluorescent pigments.
Has first solo exhibition in 1977 at Pollock Hall, McGill University. That same year he begins work on the Hymns Spheres series, culminating with the ‘Portals’ in 1993.
In 1980 he meets abstract expressionist painter, Richard Pousette-Dart, and writes a paper on the significance of Pousette-Dart’s work in the later half of the 20th century.
In the early 80’s he creates a series of welded steel sculptures and completes a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Concordia University. The following year he receives a Diploma in Education from McGill University.
In 1987 he founds the Alternative Landscaping Company and has since designed and created sculptured gardens, winning numerous awards. He specializes in Zen influenced gardens after a meeting with Ken Nakajima, architect of the Japanese Garden at the Montreal Botanical Gardens. He returns to Hungary for a second time in 1989.
In 1980 he meets abstract expressionist painter, Richard Pousette-Dart, and writes a paper on the significance of Pousette-Dart’s work in the later half of the 20th century.
In the early 80’s he creates a series of welded steel sculptures and completes a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Concordia University. The following year he receives a Diploma in Education from McGill University.
In 1987 he founds the Alternative Landscaping Company and has since designed and created sculptured gardens, winning numerous awards. He specializes in Zen influenced gardens after a meeting with Ken Nakajima, architect of the Japanese Garden at the Montreal Botanical Gardens. He returns to Hungary for a second time in 1989.
In April of 1993 he exhibits the ‘Portals’ in Toronto at the Art Dialogue gallery. In the same year he begins to teach art at an alternative Outreach program until the year 2000.
Joins the Canadian Hungarian Artist Collective (CHAC) in 2002 and participates both the 2005 and 2007 Tantramar Art symposiums, creating onsite installations at Cape Jourimain, New Bruswick.
In 2004, exhibits the Flower meditations series at Galerie Clair Obscure.
He begins work in 2006 on the ‘Split Horizon’ series, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. The series is exhibited that same year in October at the Centaur Theatre’s Seagram gallery.
Work on the latest series ‘Tempus Fugit’ began in 2007 and was exhibited at Galerie Bernard in March 2008.
Joins the Canadian Hungarian Artist Collective (CHAC) in 2002 and participates both the 2005 and 2007 Tantramar Art symposiums, creating onsite installations at Cape Jourimain, New Bruswick.
In 2004, exhibits the Flower meditations series at Galerie Clair Obscure.
He begins work in 2006 on the ‘Split Horizon’ series, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. The series is exhibited that same year in October at the Centaur Theatre’s Seagram gallery.
Work on the latest series ‘Tempus Fugit’ began in 2007 and was exhibited at Galerie Bernard in March 2008.
In Response To...
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| Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ (studio view) |
Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ |
Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ (detail view) |
Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ |
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| Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ |
Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ (detail view) |
Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ (detail view) |
Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ (detail view) |
New Horizons
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| Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ |
Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ (detail view) |
Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ (detail view) |
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| Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ (detail view) |
Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ (detail view) |
Pastel & ink on paper 32“ X 40“ (detail view) |
Tempus Fugit
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| Mixed media / 10“ X 10“ | Mixed media / 10“ X 10“ | Mixed media / 10“ X 10“ |
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| Mixed media / 10“ X 10“ | Mixed media / 10“ X 10“ (detail view) |
Mixed media / 10“ X 10“ |
Healing Horizons
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| Oil on canvas / 16“ X 20“ | Oil on canvas / 16“ X 16“ | Oil on canvas / 16“ X 16“ | Oil on canvas / 16“ X 16“ |
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| Pastel & ink on paper / 22“ X 30“ | Pastel & ink on paper / 22“ X 30“ | Pastel & ink on paper / 22“ X 30“ | Pastel & ink on paper / 22“ X 30“ |
Beyond the Horizon
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| Pastel and ink on paper / 22“ X 30“ | Pastel and ink on paper / 22“ X 30“ |
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| Pastel and ink on paper / 22“ X 30“ | Pastel and ink on paper / 22“ X 30“ |
Split Horizons
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| Pastel & ink on paper / 18“ X 24“ | Pastel & ink on paper / 18“ X 24“ | Oil on canvas / 24“ X 48“ |
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| Oil on canvas / 24“ X 48“ | Pastel & ink on paper / 30“ X 44“ | Pastel & ink on paper / 22“ X 30“ |
Magyar Shamanic (Tàltos) Dreams
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| Watercolour / 16“ X 20“ | Watercolour / 15“ X 19“ | Watercolour / 15“ X 19“ | Watercolour / 18“ X 24“ |
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| Watercolour / 15“ X 19“ | Watercolour / 30“ X 44“ | Watercolour / 22“ X 30“ | Mixed Media / 36“ X 48“ |
Flower Meditations
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| Oil on canvas 6“ X 24“ |
Oil on canvas 6“ X 24“ |
Oil on canvas 6“ X 24“ |
Oil on canvas 16“ X 16“ |
Oil on canvas 16“ X 20“ |
Watercolour 15“ X 19“ |
Watercolour 15“ X 19“ |
Watercolour 15“ X 19“ |
Watercolour 15“ X 19“ |
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| Watercolour paper / 22“ X 30“ |
Watercolour paper / 22“ X 30“ |
Watercolour paper / 22“ X 30“ |
Watercolour paper / 22“ X 30“ |
Watercolour paper / 15“ X 19“ |
Watercolour paper / 15“ X 19“ |
Peterborough Snow Sketches
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| Pastel on Peterborough Art Paper 20“ X 32“ |
Pastel on Peterborough Art Paper 20“ X 32“ |
Pastel on Peterborough Art Paper 20“ X 32“ |
Pastel on Peterborough Art Paper 20“ X 32“ |
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| Pastel on Peterborough Art Paper 20“ X 32“ |
Pastel on Peterborough Art Paper 20“ X 32“ |
Pastel on Peterborough Art Paper 20“ X 32“ |
Pastel on Peterborough Art Paper 20“ X 32“ |
Personal Mountains
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| Pastel on paper / 11“ X 26“ | Pastel on paper / 11“ X 26“ | Pastel on paper / 11“ X 26“ | Pastel on paper / 11“ X 26“ |
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| Pastel on paper / 11“ X 26“ | Pastel on paper / 11“ X 26“ | Pastel on paper / 11“ X 26“ | Pastel on paper / 11“ X 26“ |
Tree Series
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| Pastel on paper 30“ X 22“ |
Pastel on paper 19“ X 25“ |
Pastel on paper 19“ X 25“ |
Pastel on paper 19“ X 25“ |
Pastel on paper 30“ X 22“ |
Alchemical
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| Watercolour 22“ X 30“ |
Watercolour 22“ X 30“ |
Watercolour 22“ X 30“ |
Watercolour 22“ X 30“ |
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| Watercolour 30“ X 22“ |
Watercolour 30“ X 22“ |
Watercolour 30“ X 22“ |
Watercolour 30“ X 22“ |
Watercolour 30“ X 22“ |
GARDENS
The gardens highlighted here were created between 1998 and 2007.My work is based on certain principles of design and incorporating eastern aesthetics. It is adapted specifically to each sight, taking into consideration the location, the local ecology and the individual’s needs.
In this way, each garden becomes a uniquely sculptured space. The materials used and how it is planned and placed, depends on the gardens creators. As a painter choosing paint for the canvas, in the case of the garden, it is the canvas.
A living canvas that changes with time.
Senneville
Stowe
La Malbaie
Baie D'Urfé
Tantramar Symposium 2007 - Ode to the Land Installation
EcoCenter, Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick
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Tantramar Symposium 2005 - Ode to the Land Installation
EcoCenter, Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick
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LINKS
Canadian Hungarian
Artists Collective (CHAC)
Gallerie Bernard
Russell Gallery
Bridging the Divide
(Artists' recollections)
Richard Pousette-Dart
Gurdjieff Foundation
Paul Reynard
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