Birth : Alma, Lac Saint-Jean, 1958.
Training : Enthusiastic about visual arts, he presents, while only attending third grade, the request to his parents that they let him study drawing at the local school. Claude Bonneau thus became an artist at the tender age of eight. A self-taught painter, he soon creates his own style.
A music lover, he enjoys representing those of the craft: jazzmen playing in popular streets as well as classical musicians in elegant surroundings. The artist also depicts beautiful still lives and great representations of everyday situations. The color palette Mr. Bonneau usually employs is in the tones of red, orange, yellow and ochre. He underlines the contours of his characters and objects with a thin black line thus accentuating the contrasts and light. Finally, the artist creates depth in all his paintings by largely defining shadows.
Medium : Acrylic
Exhibitions : Many group exhibitions in Québec since 1998 among them « Fêtes aux Jardins », at the home of Québec’s Lieutenant Governor, 2003; Mosaïcultures, Montréal, 2003; Salon Habitat d’automne, Montréal, 2002; solo exhibitions in 2001, 2002 and 2005 in Québec.
Collections : Many international private and corporate collections in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. Well known Canadian companies: Royal Bank, AT&T Canada, daily newspaper La Presse, Inter-Continental Hotel, Broccolini Construction, Montréal and the prestigious Forbes Magazine.
Associations : Member of the « Institut des arts figuratifs » of Québec since 2001.
Awards : Honourable President, St-Ulric, 2005, Foire des arts, Baie-Comeau, Symposium St-Georges, Beauce, 2002; Symposiums Val Jalbert, Carnaval de Québec, 2003; « Baie-Comeau et les Fêtes du Québec maritime », 2004; Canada Park Award; « Fêtes du Québec maritime », Le Bic, 2003; Public’s choice « Symposium Villages en couleurs », 2003; 2nd Jury’s Prize, 2002; 3rd Jury’s Prize, « Rencontre des arts », St-Jean-sur-le-Richelieu, 2003; Jury’s Prize, Symposiums of St-Georges, Beauce and Beauport, 2001; 1st Public Prize, Stephen Lowe Gallery, Calgary, Alberta, 2000; Public’s Choice, Symposium Baie-Comeau, 1999; Work selected for the poster of the « Festival International de Jazz » Baie-Comeau, 1994.
Bibliography : Magazin’Art, Biennial Guide to Canadian Artists in Galleries, 2006-2007, 2004-2005, 2002-2003, 2000-2001,1998-1999; Paul Moore, « Claude Bonneau Much more than Peter Pan », Magazin’Art, Winter 2000-2001, p. 62-64, p. 94-95. Roussan Guide, 1997.
