Self-portrait, François Gaudet

3 Questions: Artist & Curator in Conversation

1. What was your source of inspiration for your work in the exhibition?   

The Pandemic Acadian Breakdown pandemic visual diary series suspended time by questioning the ephemeral and durable with allegorical stories taken from media headlines during a global pandemic. Fact and fiction collided creating a visual diary. This liminal visual pandemic diary riffs off the Acadian breakdown style of music (also known as a reel). In this case breakdown can also allude to a mental breakdown or rupture in a system. This series also strikes parallels with the art of Acadian quilt making. Both unique folk traditions rely on rhythm and repetition to tell an engaging story with intimate narratives.  

2. How did the act of art-making help you in reflecting on/responding to the pandemic as an artist?  

The pandemic has suspended my state of disbelief and caused a radical shift in reality, inciting a massive personal inner conflict. To help cope and remain open with the new collective breakdown, I turned my self scrutiny into a series of self portraits that challenged the use of traditional and non traditional art materials to transfigure my portrait. While self isolating and ‘‘staying the blazes home’’, I started a visual diary that always began with the same black and white photograph of my face. This autobiographical series, helped shape my days and turned darkness into light.  

3. How do you think visual art helps us understand the complex world around us?  

Acadian Breakdown pandemic visual diary series hopes to act like a metaphorical touchstone that asks how we collectively take in the fluid nature of history during this global pandemic. Visual art for me has always been a conduit to understand the issues facing us and helps turn darkness into light.