The special exhibition of works by artist Michel Suret-Canale gave art lovers in Providence, Rhode Island the unique opportunity to meet the artist personally and discuss a number of subjects, including the evolution and development of his most recent experimental posters that are the result of almost twenty years of work.
Born in Paris and currently residing in the city of Niort in western France, M. Suret-Canale arrived at Logan Airport on May 25th and spent two days touring the Boston-Cambridge area before arriving in Providence to prepare for his exhibition on the 30th of May. In an opening that included many members of the local artistic community, the city of Providence welcomed the French artist warmly, showing great interest in both his experimental works and classical paintings. The conversation flowed as freely as the wine as the artist from France discussed his work with fellow artists, film makers, designers and musicians from America. Michael Fink, a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design for over fifty years arrived with the modest statement that he looked forward to being introduced to M. Suret-Canale so he could “practice” his French. To the great surprise of all present, including the artist himself, Mr. Fink had no need to practice. According to Suret-Canale, the professor spoke French fluently and flawlessly, with no accent.
Located in the studio space of Providence artist Jerry Puleo, exhibitions at Hanger Gallery are generally the some of the most lively and interesting in the Providence area. This is not the place where you’ll catch staid art collectors examining the works with a raised eyebrow and a magnifying glass. Mr. Puleo welcomes each visitor as a personal friend, offering not only the standard wine and cheese, but a full spread of hot and cold appetizers, salads and dips, a platter of calzones and a dessert table. Even so, Michel Suret-Canale had no time for refreshment as various guests would engage him in conversation while others stood by patiently waiting their turn to speak to the artist. It was only at the end of the evening that Suret-Canale had time to catch his breath and grab a bite to eat. By then the exhibition was officially over, but friends of the host remained to talk and play music, including Jerry Puleo himself on the accordion.
The evening was a great success, with the local community immediately taking to both the innovative works and the genial personality of Michel Suret-Canale. All I can add is that as a Providence resident, I hope that our fair city has succeeded in making M. Suret-Canale feel welcome during his first visit to the United States!
Some Experimental Works at the Exhibition:
• Construction Scene in Niort, France
• Danse-peinture (Dance Painting)
• The artist's son in his studio
• Vue de ma fenêtre (View from my window, Niort, Le Clou Bouchet)
Other Works Exhibited:
Paysage interurbain, 1996 (a signed and numbered print of a digital picture taken in the tube in Paris)
“Post-it” Art, “Mini-male” Art and other small drawings on paper and cardstock
Jupiter et Danáe, 2008 (oil on paper)
Drawings from costume and stage design for Les Matapeste, a troupe of theatrical clowns, 1992
Drawings and watercolors of models dancing, 2003
Location: Providence, RI
Biography of the artist
MICHEL SURET-CANALE,
Born in Paris France, 1957, Michel Suret-Canale is the youngest child of the late French historian of Africa and political activist Jean Suret-Canale and his wife Georgette, a poet, novelist and feminist journalist.
Although he began his studies in the field of mathematics, Michel Suret-Canale decided to abandon his original course of study for art at the age of fourteen, following the example of his grandparents, engraver and medal designer Victor Suret-Canale and Thérèse Suret-Canale, a painter educated in both Germany and the Académie Julian in Paris .
In addition to his work as an artist, Suret-Canale has written books about art, worked in multimedia and Web design and designed theatrical costumes and scenes.
He has taught in Sorbonne and other parts of France as a Master Lecturer of new information and communication technologies, and in Experimental Research of computer art. Forward thinking and innovative, M. Suret-Canale is constantly seeking new methods of incorporating artistic expression in today’s technological era, as well as working to introduce art into the everyday world so that it is accessible to everyone.
You are cordially invited to attend a special exhibition of the experimental works of Michel Suret-Canale taking place at
Jerry Puleo’s Studio
109 Summer Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
USA
Friday, May 30th 2008
at 8:00 P.M.
Please join us to view the first United States exhibition of artist Michel Suret-Canale. Share French wine and refreshments in a casual and friendly atmosphere where you will have the unique opportunity to meet the artist and discuss his newest works along with his philosophies of art in the 21st century and how it touches all of our lives.
Doctor of Arts and Sciences of Arts, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Michel Suret-Canale is a painter, set designer, designer-director of Internet sites, and researcher in arts and sciences of art. Widely known in Europe he has sold over 7 000 works to collectors in more than18 countries including the USA, Japan, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, England, Portugal, Russia and Morocco.
Michel’s works can be found in public collections including the Museum of Fine Arts in Niort, France, and he has created public murals, frescoes and artistic activities for various municipalities and public institutions throughout France.