Weaving Modernist Art: The Life and Work of Mariette Rousseau-Vermette

Mariette Rousseau-Vermette was a pioneering modernist tapestry artist in Canada, known for her radiant large-scale tapestries that complemented modern architecture. Anne Newlands' book, Weaving Modernist Art: The Life and Work of Mariette Rousseau-Vermette, brings her story to the public eye, highlighting her contributions to the art world and her impact on Canadian textile artists.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 24 April 2023
Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd

Weaving Modernist Art: The Life and Work of Mariette Rousseau-Vermette, authored by Anne Newlands, brings one of Canada's most accomplished and respected visual artists back into the public spotlight. Born into a large French-Canadian family in 1926, Mariette Rousseau embraced her passion for the creative arts from a young age. She pursued studies in art and weaving at lÉcole des beaux-arts in Quebec City, where she was inspired by the works of renowned artists such as Paul Cézanne and Henri Matisse. After an art-filled trip to Europe, she returned to Canada and joined the growing movement of young French-Canadian artists who were rejecting the conservatism of Maurice Duplessis's mid-century Quebec. By the early 1960s, Rousseau-Vermette had forged collaborations with fellow artists, designers, and architects who shared her vision for public art. Over the next four decades, she scaled the heights of her profession, weaving hundreds of radiant large-scale tapestries that complemented the sleek interiors of modern architecture. Her work was exhibited worldwide and earned prestigious commissions from both the private and public sectors. An esteemed teacher at the Banff Centre, she also received the Order of Canada.

However, what intrigued Anne Newlands was the lack of a comprehensive book that celebrated the story of Mariette Rousseau-Vermette as a pioneer of modernist tapestry and one of Canada's most prolific and influential artist-weavers. Determined to rectify this, Newlands embarked on a journey to write a book that would do justice to the artist's remarkable life and work. Access to the artist-weaver's archive provided invaluable insights into her creative process and artistic journey. Extensive research and interviews with family, colleagues, and friends further enriched the narrative, shedding light on the influences and inspirations that shaped Rousseau-Vermette's art. The result is a vivid introduction to a remarkable artist who paved the way. The book explores Rousseau-Vermette's early life and education, her artistic influences, and her journey to becoming a master weaver. It also delves into her collaborations with other artists, designers, and architects, highlighting the impact her work had on the Canadian textile art scene. Through her tapestries, Rousseau-Vermette pushed the boundaries of what was possible in textile art, creating works that were both visually stunning and technically innovative. Her commitment to experimentation and her willingness to take risks led to the development of new techniques and styles that have influenced generations of textile artists. The book also sheds light on Rousseau-Vermette's personal life, including her relationships with her husband, Claude Vermette, and her children. It explores the challenges she faced as a woman artist in a male-dominated field and the ways in which she overcame them to achieve success. Overall, Weaving Modernist Art: The Life and Work of Mariette Rousseau-Vermette is a captivating and informative book that provides a deep appreciation for the life and work of this remarkable artist. It is a must-read for anyone interested in art, textiles, and the history of Canadian art.

Weight: 998g
Dimension: 279 x 228 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228104179