A multidisciplinary artist based in Montreal, Hélène Montpetit uses a variety of techniques to create captivating, expressive images, depicting ideas and emotions. Her work often explores issues such as the impact of climate change and war on future generations. She has taken part in several group exhibitions in Montreal and in competitions, winning a judge’s prize and two honourable mentions.
Visual Art
Accepted in the Fine Art program of Cégep du Vieux Montréal in the early 1970s, she chose instead to share a studio with other self-taught artists and craftspeople. She devoted herself to studying drawing, painting, textile arts and various techniques, taking courses at independent institutions such as the Westmount Visual Arts Centre. During this period, she not only produced paintings, but also created batik and silkscreen pieces. From the early 1980s onwards, her activities in the visual arts took a back seat while she pursued a career in music and then communications.
Music
In 1973, Hélène formed an original folk music trio with guitarists Gaétan Plouffe and Richard Vincent. The next decade saw her singing in a number of popular and cover bands, performing at special events, weddings and bars. In the 90s, her musical journey continued at Concordia University’s Faculty of Music, where she studied composition with Wolfgang Bottenberg, jazz history with Andrew Homzy and vocal technique with Barbara Lewis. She went on to form an original music and covers group with Alan Brown, Suzanne Ungar and Mario Starnino, who was eventually replaced by Pierre Goulet. When this group disbanded, she ended her musical adventure as she had begun it, forming LittlemountaiN🩷,an original music trio featuring bassist Suzanne Ungar and percussionist Kate Bremner.
Poetry
It was at the turn of the new century that Hélène began her studies in literary composition, again at Concordia University. The knowledge she acquired while pursuing her bachelor’s degree enabled her to hone her verbal expression and create the poems published here.