My principal inspiration in the art world derives from the Pop Art Movement of the sixties and the « figuration narrative », a current which appeared in the eighties. I also enjoy “art brut”, or Outsider Art, and the naivety found in children’s drawings. Jean Dubuffet, Gilbert & George and the Clayton Brothers are some of the artists whom inspire my creations. My subjects are taken from everyday life in the city, the pictures broadcasted by mass-media, the graphic style of retro video games, theatre plays, biology and history of cinema, among others. I often refer to art history and popular culture in my drawings.
My artworks are made from automatic drawings, dreams and memories, forming a sense of nostalgia. Animated movies and the underground comic book scene are important sources of inspirations for the fantasy images I create. Part of my artistic research includes the creation of graphic novels. My works are often socially engaging and showcase humorous and playful content. I prefer vivid colors and crazy pictures. I have a special taste for the bizarre, the surreal and the absurd. I often listen to gipsy music while creating and I think it influences the spirit of my drawings.
I make large format paintings from series of automatic drawings which I use as sketches. I then place these paintings in the context of installations that integrate photography, ceramics and video.
In the last two years my practice has mostly concentrated on printed-based mediums as I am an active member of Graff studios in Montreal. In the near future I will use silkscreen techniques on canvas in order to make my next large format painting entitled “The End of the Road”. I am also in the process of developing another puppet show for the 2008 edition of the Montreal Fringe Festival, drawing a second comic book and continuing printing with the photo-lithography, woodcut and etching techniques.
I really like to express myself through visual arts.
Arthur Desmarteaux, 2007
Oasis, silkscreen, 10x13 inches, edition of 19, 2007
