Mathieu Maillot, director of the gallery-agency Les Cercles (65 Boulevard Carnot), is organizing an exhibition on October 12th and 13th featuring the Canadian artist Paul Ygartua, a painter-prodigy with internationally recognized talent, whom he introduces to us here.
How did you meet him?
I’ve been lucky enough to sell his paintings for twenty years now, ever since he agreed to let me help promote his work in France. His exhibition is exceptional for Vésinet. It’s a rare opportunity to see someone with such talent, and it’s a blessing for the residents! The exhibition will take place on Saturday, October 12, and Sunday, October 13, from 10 AM to 7 PM. Paul and his wife will be there to discuss Canada. For six months, his paintings will be on display, and those that are not sold will remain, with likely new works added in the meantime.
What does Vésinet represent for him?
He appreciates the city’s connection to the history of the Impressionists, which pleases him because it brings him closer to great painters. But he’s not pretentious, and doesn’t consider himself their equal! Every time he comes to France, he loves to see the places where the paintings were created and enjoys the proximity to Paris, with its energy and certain special spots.
At the beginning of his career, Paul sold his work in the streets before being noticed by renowned galleries and participating in international salons. He is one of the most famous artists in Canada, where he has painted several monumental murals. In 1986, he was selected to create a gigantic fresco for the United Nations pavilion at the World Expo in Vancouver, which depicted the diverse peoples of the world.
What can you tell us about his career?
At 80 years old, he has spent more than 50 years painting, and it’s his only activity. Over time, Paul has become one of the most famous artists in Canada, with two galleries representing him at the moment: Ukama Gallery and Eagle Spirit Gallery. He has received countless commissions and painted a vast number of Indigenous people, chiefs, and totems. He is deeply passionate about this subject and has many friends in different tribes.
Paul met someone who changed his life: the woman who would become his wife, Joanne. She was captivated by his unique way of drawing and became, in a sense, his agent. She never burdened him with material concerns, creating an environment where he could focus on painting without worrying about other work. He paints, she sells, and together they travel the world. Although it can be difficult for white people to be accepted by Indigenous communities due to Canada’s colonial past, Paul has, in some sense, become the non-Indigenous painter of the Indigenous.
Does his work convey a particular message about them?
It’s subtle. He represents them with great strength and wisdom, which he deeply admires. His work isn’t about politics; what matters to him is the beauty of each culture. His father was of Basque Spanish origin, and although he left Spain during the civil war, he maintained ties to the Basque country, where he witnessed how proud people are of their roots.
Tens of thousands of paintings created over sixty years!
Paul paints everything connected to Basque culture, but he is also touched by many other cultures and communities. He is truly a citizen of the world, admiring the diverse cultures wherever he goes. He speaks French, English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese… and spends all his time traveling.
