Artist CV:BORN: May 16, 1904, Quebec City, PQ DIED: October 31, 1988, Leval, PQ STUDIED: Ecole des Beaux-Arts du Quebec from the age of fourteen until 1925. He excelled at his studies, often winning most, if not all, year-end awards. Was awarded a Quebec Government painting bursary to study in Paris at the Ecole Superieure National des Beaux-Arts, at which Pellan also won the year end prize for painting in 1928, studying under Lucien Simon. Returned to Paris in 1952 on a reasearch studies fellowship. AWARDS: 1935, First prize in the Salon de L’Art in Paris which contained work by Fernand Leger and Pablo Picasso 1957, First Prize, City of Montreal City Centre Building mural competition 1958, Canadian Concil fellowship 1958, Professor of Painting at Canadian Art Centre 1965, Canada Concil Medal 1967, Companion of the Order of Canada CAREER: 1923, Had the uncommon honour of a purchase of one of his works by the National Gallery of Canada at the age of 16. To supliment his income as a painter in Paris, worked as a poster publisher and took on design commsions which included a perfume bottle design, and collaboration with clothing designers. Founded the painting movement “Prisme d’Yeux” in Quebec with Jaque de Tonnancour. By 1939 was considered one of the imporant figures in the French School, which included artists such as Raoul Dufy and Salvador Dali. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES: Taught at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts du Montreal from 1943-1952. Unrest broght on by the progressive views of himself and visiting friends like Fernand Leger lead to the resignation of conservative Ecole des Beaux-Arts director Charles Millard. Despite this, Pellan’s position in an acedemic setting still offened friend and contempory Paul-Emile Borduas. From around 1944-69, produced designs for theatrical productions. COMMISSIONS: 1963, Place des Arts, Montreal, stained glass window 1963, Winnipeg Airport, mural 1968, Two murals for the Canadian Legation in Rio de Janeiro depicting Eastern and Western Canada. SELECTED EXHIBITIONS: 1923, Montreal Spring Exhibtion 1935, Academie Ranson, Paris 1942, Bignou Gallery, New York 1937, The Hague 1939, Museum of Modern Art, Washinton 1940, Musee de la Provence de Quebec 1940, Art Association of Montreal 1954, Coq Liban, Paris (solo) 1955, Musee National d’Art, Paris (retrospective) 1956, Hall of Honour, Montreal City Hall 1958, Denyse Delrue Gallery, Montreal 1960, National Gallery of Canada, Art Gallery of Ontario, Montreal Museum of Fine Art (retrospective) COLLECTIONS: National Gallery of Canada Musee National d’Art Moderne, Paris Musee National d’Art, Paris Musee de la Provence de Quebec Montreal Museum of Fine Arts Many private and private collections around the world |
