Guerdy J. Préval facts for kids

Guerdy Jacques Préval (born in March 1950) is a talented painter from Haiti. He is also a Canadian citizen. Today, he lives and works in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where he continues to create amazing art.

About Guerdy Jacques Préval

Early Life and Art Training

Guerdy Jacques Préval was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 1950. From a young age, he loved art. He started by taking summer classes in ceramics. Later, he learned painting at a workshop called Poto-Mitan. This workshop was led by famous Haitian painters Tiga and Dorcély.

He continued his art studies at the Athenaeum Studio Art. There, he learned from Emmanuel Pierre-Charles and Valentin Iviquel. They quickly became his good friends.

Moving to Canada and Further Studies

In 1972, Guerdy moved to Montreal, Canada. While working as an artist, he also went to university. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Art Studies degree from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).

In 2001, his artwork was shown at a very important art event. This was the 49th edition of the Venice Biennale Contemporary Arts in Italy. The Venice Biennale is one of the oldest and most famous art exhibitions in the world.

Guerdy Préval's Artworks

Style and Inspiration

Guerdy J. Préval's paintings are known for their beautiful shapes and bright colors. An art expert named Carlo A. Célius said that Préval is very skilled at drawing and creating interesting spaces in his art.

Préval's art often mixes real-looking (figurative) images with abstract shapes. Abstract art uses shapes, colors, and forms that don't look like real objects. His goal is to create something new and different from traditional art.

Messages in His Art

Sometimes, his paintings show feelings of strength and weakness that all humans experience. Other times, his art tells stories about important events from his home country, Haiti. These hints of Haiti's history are a big part of what makes Préval's art special.

Préval is also known as a "painter of the body." This means he often features human figures in his work. His art has been featured in many books and guides, including the Canadian visual arts guide, Le Guide Vallée.

Beyond Painting

Besides painting, Guerdy Jacques Préval also studies Haitian culture. He often writes books and articles about popular Haitian traditions and expressions.

He still lives in Montreal today. He has won several awards and grants from the Canadian government. These awards help support his creative work.

Awards and Special Recognition

• 2001: His work was shown at the 49th edition of the Venice Biennale Contemporary Arts in Italy.
• 1980: He was the only modern artist to show his work at Place Royale in Quebec, Canada.
• 1976: He won second prize at the "Gouverneurs de la Rosée" Contest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Art Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

These are shows where only Guerdy Jacques Préval's art was displayed.

• 2003: "Entretien", Gallery Entre-Cadre (Montreal, Canada)
• 1995: "Peinture en extase", Gallery Entre-Cadre (Montreal, Canada)
• 1994: "Souvenirs ankylosés", Gallery Entre-Cadre (Montreal, Canada)
• 1990: "Nuances", French Institute (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
• 1985: La Ataranza (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)
• 1980: Place Royale, Quebec, Canada
• 1980: "Haiti-Diaspora", Quebec University in Montreal (Montreal, Canada)
• 1979: Complexe Desjardins (Montreal, Canada)
• 1974: Mont-Tremblant (Quebec, Canada)
• 1972: Athénée Studio Art (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
• 1969: Académie des Beaux-Arts (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)

Group Exhibitions

These are shows where Guerdy Jacques Préval's art was displayed alongside other artists' work.

• 2005: Art Off the Main, Puck Building (New York, USA)
• 2004: Art Off the Main, Puck Building (New York, USA)
• 2004: Bank Street College of Education (New York, USA)
• 2001: 49th edition of the Venice Biennale Contemporary Arts (Venice, Italy)
• 2001: "Voodoo's Painters", Istituto Italo-Latino-Americano (Rome, Italy)
• 2000: Bergeron Gallery (Ottawa, Canada)
• 1999: Gallerie Carmel (Ottawa, Canada)
• 1989: "Festival Gallery" (Haiti)
• 1987: "Contemporary Art at Grand Palais" (Paris, France)
• 1986: UNESCO (New York, USA)
• 1983: International Festival of Arts (Montreal, Canada)
• 1977: Lee Garden (Hong Kong, China)
• 1976: United Nations (New York, USA)
• 1976: "Gouverneurs de la Rosée" Concours, Galerie Nader (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
• 1975: Columbia University’s "New York World Fair" (New York, USA)
• 1969: Académie des Beaux-Arts (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)