Originally from the Gaspé Peninsula, artist Glen LeMesurier now lives and works in Montréal. The self-taught sculptor learned his art from his books and his contact with Swiss sculptors Jean Tinguely and Bernhard Luginbühl, two forerunners in the use of recycled materials in art. Early on, he sculpted wood, before switching to metal, which he uses to this day. Growing up with a father who was an auto mechanic, the artist developed a love of machinery at a young age. Made of various types of scrap, recycled objects and materials, his sculptures are intended for public spaces, a major element in the artist’s work.
In 2005, a grant from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec allowed him to visit sculpture gardens of his choice across North America and Europe. He travelled to Spain, Switzerland, France, Italy and Luxembourg. Thus, LeMesurier found inspiration in several sites, including Niki de Saint Phalle’s garden in Capalbio, Italy.
His work has been displayed in many Canadian galleries, while some of his sculptures are part of public and private collections, including the Cirque du Soleil collection in Montréal.
- 15 Artworks
- 30min
- TOHU
Cirque du Soleil's International Headquarters
Artwork description
Public art is the central theme of LeMesurier’s work. He views the city as a space to present and exhibit his work. In 1999, as part of his efforts to integrate art into everyday life, LeMesurier undertook the reclamation of land contaminated by gasoline in Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood, close to his workshop. Today, the Twilight Sculpture Garden is a green haven where his creations and nature peacefully coexist. For the artist, urban rehabilitation and the occupation of public spaces by art are “a form of culture in action.” Free and open to everyone, the Twilight Sculpture Garden has become, over the years, an oasis for locals, a place for artists to exchange and a space for curious passers by to discover.
Since his sculpture garden was created, LeMesurier has developed a range of building methods that let him use specific materials for his artworks, from his smaller wood pieces to his more massive steel pieces. Inspired by naval and railway machinery, his sculptures are made from metal objects salvaged from industrial landfills. The artist likens the transformation of these materials to the metamorphoses of certain mythological characters, giving the works a surreal and fabulous aspect.