Éric Lapointe

Eric Lapointe, a bronze sculptor born in Quebec City in 1971 and currently residing in Grondines, has created a unique path in contemporary art by utilizing bronze, a heavy metal rich in tradition. Contrary to its conventional use, Lapointe diverts the legacy of bronze and presents sculptures that serve as cutting-edge tools to portray the tricks of society and shed light on what we have become: individualistic, materialistic, possessive, hurried, and obsessive.

In his artwork, Lapointe seeks to provide a different perspective on reality, unveiling the hidden aspects of mundane life and encouraging viewers to develop a critical outlook on the world. He aims to offer a fresh understanding of things, removing subjects from their ordinary context to reveal their hidden realities. The artist juxtaposes figuration with emancipated forms, incorporating lenses integrated into the sculptures that challenge our conventional vision of a subject. This optical illusion not only serves the form of the artwork but also its purpose, which is to rebel against the unquestioned assumptions that hinder our ability to question our habits. By choosing these subjects, Lapointe invites the observer to critically examine various aspects of the modern world, exposing the mechanisms of appearances and the illusory nature of standardization propagated by our society.

At first glance, Lapointe's forms may be challenging to recognize. However, curiosity drives us to discover the optical system, whether hidden or not, that serves as the key to unravelling the enigma. Looking through the lens, we are suddenly granted access to the revelation of the subject in its most commonplace form. This comfortable vision acts as a reference point and anchor in reality. From there, we gain a deeper understanding of the external form's abstraction, which is reestablished through a complex interplay of optical distortions. This principle, known as anamorphosis, creates a paradox between reality and illusion. The deformations that emerge in various directions correspond to the poorly controlled emotions we experience. Simultaneously, the optical recovery seen through the lens suggests the normality to which we aspire, an idealized image of ourselves that we cultivate at the expense of our intrinsic truth. The convergence of these two divergent realities occurs at the smallest point in the artwork, closest to the lens. As a result, the sculpture becomes a kind of inner image, a frozen emotion in time stemming from the inner struggle we face in relation to the outside world. Thus, the scientific approach derived from optical physics applied to psychic exploration offers a broader perspective on the artwork.

The lenses incorporated into the sculptures, similar to the filters that shape our perception of the world, are deliberately apparent to underscore the importance of understanding, solving puzzles, and unveiling our defence mechanisms. Seeking a balance between objectivity and subjectivity enables us to detach ourselves from mental rigidity and emotional turmoil. It is by temporarily withdrawing from this internal tug-of-war that we can aspire to gain clarity and ultimately attain serenity.

Éric Lapointe's artistic journey began with a college diploma in pure and applied sciences in 1988 from Cégep of Limoilou. He then pursued studies in graphic design in 1991 at Cégep of Ste-Foy, followed by a bachelor's degree in visual arts in 2000 from Université Laval in Quebec City. Lapointe has dedicated the past 14 years to his career as a bronze sculptor. His work has been represented in galleries in the United States and is currently exhibited in Montreal, earning notable recognition as his sculptures are included in many private collections.