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His Life |
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Pierre Séguin continues sharing with you about the artist and his
immense art legacy.
(Part 3) Discovering the collection Following this evening of discovery at Zadorozny’s sister place I have now the information to contact the artist widow. This is my first contact with Mrs. Picard. After the first civilities I mention that I would like to present few works of her husband at my gallery. She tells me that she will come by the gallery and that we will then discuss about it. I now have an appointment with her and I am anxious to meet with the woman who shared the artist life during almost 30 years. Mrs. Picard met Andreï on the Mount-Royal at the beginning of the seventies. This place was the artist favourite one when he was painting outside, in Montréal. That was in spring or at the beginning of the summer. Andreï wasn’t talking a lot while he was painting. But this young woman was unobtrusive, setting back, looking at him with admiration dazzled by how much he was controlling the medium; and also because he had always been attracted by women, they started exchanging few words. Andreï understood that Suzanne loved painting; she was herself painting; and as he himself loved talking about his passion for painting, they established a friendship that became love with time. A meeting at the gallery is scheduled with Mrs. Picard so we can know each other better. When she comes, she visits the gallery and I wonder if she will accept to leave few of Zadorozny’s works at my gallery; she accepts. We talk about Andreï’s career and Mrs. Picard tells me a little about the artist life she had with him. Before leaving she tells me that she has promised to Andreï that he will get back the recognition he had for many years. At the end of our meeting, she invites me to come to her house at Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard to select the works I would like to present at the gallery. An offer I can definitely not refuse. Following this first visit to the artist retreat, I presented few works. People reception was good and we decided to have a solo exhibition in October 2002. This was a new start for Zadorozny. To be continued... |
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My brother was a well known artist (Part 1) Some seven or eight years ago, a lawyer and his wife came to the gallery that was then located on Perrot boulevard, they came with artworks they wanted to have an evaluation for. As the conversation was going on we realized that my father who was registrary at the bankruptcy court of Montreal knew this lawyer and his associate well and that they also had common friends. What a small world! Then later on during the conversation the lady told me: "my brother was a well known artist, he just died, his name was Andreï Zadorozny, do you know him?" In this business you meet many people who know a good artist who is a close relation, a brother, a sister, an uncle, an aunt or any other relationship. So, politely I answered that I didn’t know him. At once she asked me if I would have a look at some of his paintings? and she repeated: "You know my brother was a renowned watercolour painter." I should confess that, at that time, I wasn’t particularly found of this medium but as I never refuse to see an artist portfolio, (another Picasso is walking somewhere) I mentioned to her that I would be pleased to take a quick look at them. Consequently we agreed that she would come to the gallery in the next few weeks. A few days later I received a phone call from her asking me "instead of me going to the gallery would you come to my house this evening, we are living very close in Kirkland, it would be easier to show you the works?" Wanting to be nice and a little for the friendship that existed between my father and her husband I agreed to go. But there, that evening, in their house, is born this love story between me and this great painter, Andreï M. Zadorozny.
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Discovering the
artist
(Part 2) Here I was, in Kirkland, in the house of Zadorozny sister. As I came in the residence, I felt this intimate atmosphere in spite of the big hall I was standing in. The superb staircases that lead to the second floor already presented many artworks. Among those was a small wooden sculpture representing a naked woman that was very "Fifties". This was the first work of Zadorozny that will have caught my attention. Then the visit of the house started. In every room were art works of various artists. They had in common that most of them had been close to Zadorozny at a given time in their career. Should it be Harold Beament or Léo Ayotte, they had taken part in exhibitions with Zadorozny; they had painted together or had passionate conversations on their one-life passion, ART. As the visit went on, Zadorozny watercolours held my attention more and more. She was right; her brother was a great artist. As we quickly visited the first floor I started to be in a hurry to see more. What we did without delay. I wasn’t expecting much and here I was all excited with the idea of looking at more watercolours! In front of me document-cases were laying full of art works. The lady of the house opened them one after the other in a hurry to convince me of her brother’s talent. But it didn’t give me the time to look at each work well. I was amazed at such enormous talent. The artworks I contemplated dated from the Fifties and Sixties and carried this force of the after-war years. The drawing was very dynamic and sharp. The colours and the tones were strong and precise. I had to slow down my hostess: "Madam, so much beauty can only be appreciated a little at a time. We have to take our time. You don’t have to convince me anymore of this man’s talent; for me, it’s love at first sight." A few hours later, I left this house overwhelm with enchantment. I had been in contact with works of a master. I had in my pocket the co-ordinates of his widow and I hoped to have the privilege of presenting some of her husband works in my gallery. What a wonderful evening! |
 Sculpture dated VIII,56,2 27,5" x 2,5" x 2,5"
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