Matthieu Binette learned not to use an eraser. “Advice from my father, Berthin, who studied fine arts and was a teacher for 30 years.” Mistakes don't exist. Therefore, there's nothing to erase. Wise teaching indeed, since without this notion that breeds the fear of making mistakes, learning, imagination, and discovery are fostered.
Born in Timmins, Ontario, in 1977, but raised in Sherbrooke, Matthieu is one of those on whom school has little impact. According to Ivan Illich, the state education system would, in any case, worsen what it is supposed to improve, since it “destroys or devalues autonomous productive capacities”. “I developed my technique in school during French class with Liquid Paper.” Intended for correcting mistakes, and since mistakes don’t exist… he repurposed the famous correction fluid. Drop by drop, his miniature creations take shape, the liquid solidifying as it dries.
At Cégep de Sherbrooke, in visual arts, aside from welding— as long as he wasn’t forced to weld two metal plates together and could melt steel drop by drop at will— he remained rather unfamiliar with other materials. He was then advised to learn artistic metalwork from Jean-Marc Tetro. Claude Hunot, from Rougemont, who combines sculpture and jewelry, introduced him to finishing techniques.
“The form, the lines, the movement create themselves, half a centimeter at a time. I continue what takes shape, but always with lightness, a search for an airy effect, in contrast to the density of the metal.”
EDUCATION
1999-1997
Visual Arts Degree, CÉGEP de Sherbrooke
2002-2000
Studies with sculptor Claude Hunôt, Rougemont
2000-1999
Specializes in artistic ironwork with sculptor Jean-Marc Tétro, Sherbrooke
EXHIBITIONS
2024
Jérémie St-Pierre et Matthieu Binette, Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC
2021
Téléphonexquis, Antoine-Sirois Art Gallery, Sherbrooke, QC
2011
Chase Gallery, Beaconsfield
2009
Salon du printemps, Fine Arts Museum, Sherbrooke
2009-2007
Galerie Le Royer, Montreal
2009-2004
Galerie des Artistes des Cantons, Magog
2009-2003
LaNef, artist center, Sherbrooke
2007 FIMA,
Festival international de Montréal en Art, Montreal Flora international, Montreal
2003-2002
Symposium de Dudswell, Quebec
2002
Rencontre X (10th edition), St-Jean-sur- Richelieu
2002-2000
Salon des Métiers d’art du Québec, Sherbrooke
2001
La Grande Virée Artistique (1st edition), Sherbrooke Galerie ArtAzo (solo exhibition), Sherbrooke
2000
Art-Circuit (1st edition), Sherbrooke
ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENTS
2009-2003
President of the Board for the artist center LaNef, Sherbrooke
2008-2004
Curator for LaNef, Sherbrooke 2006 Creation of a permanent installation outside LaNef
2006
Artistic director for Jeunes Volontaires, Sherbrooke
2005
Live sculpture show to profit the CHUS Foundation
2003
Auction to benefit the Alzheimer Society, in collaboration with the Fine Arts Museum of Sherbrooke
2002
Founder of the artist center LaNef, Sherbrooke
