Jean-Pascal Fournier, Montreal - MEET THE COLLECTOR Series Part Forty

Jean-Pascal Fournier posts the most wonderful artwork on his Instagram page, which is what drew me to contacting him about this series. His gallery also showcases some fantastic talents - both contemporary and outsider artists - so read on to find out more in part forty of my ‘Meet the Collector’ series …

Portrait of Jean-Pascal Fournier by 5M Portraits

1. When did your interest in the field of outsider/folk art begin?
It started 20 years ago when I was an actor. I co-directed a theater company called ‘Joe, Jack et John’ in Montreal, Canada. We were doing shows including with artists with disabilities. We had the chance to do some shows in Brussels and Berlin a couple years later and this is where I first met the people from Creahm Bruxelles - an art center for artists with disabilities. I was blown away and really moved by what I saw. At the same time I was starting to represent a contemporary artist and decided a year later to open my own gallery. It was more of a Contemporary/ Urban Art gallery, but since last year I decided to focus on Contemporary art alongside outsider art.

2. When did you become a collector of this art?  How many pieces do you think are in your collection now? And do you exhibit any of it on the walls of your home or elsewhere?
I started building my collection ten years ago. I have always been a collector since my childhood. I collected minerals, stickers, coins, etc. I don't know why, but I always loved to collect things. I don't know how many pieces are in my collection but I would say around 300 - it could be more… I don't count. As many collectors, if I see a piece that I love, I need it. I have two addictions: coffee and art. I like to live with my art. My apartment is filled with works everywhere. The ones who don’t make it on the walls are stored in my gallery storage or I lend some to my friends so that it can be enjoyed still.

Danny Gretscher and cushions by Chris Johanson

3. Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I have always worked in the arts. I studied for seven years at a drama school to become an actor. I worked within that field for 12 years. I co-directed three theater companies during that time. I never dreamt of being an actor, but I did always want to work in an art gallery. I was also a painter. I need to say I wasn't that good at painting but I loved it. I started to sell my work to be able to buy other artists works as my salary as an actor wasn't enough to allow me to start collecting. During that time I was also teaching theater, music and dance to adults with down syndrome and autism in a school in Montreal. In 2013, I decided to quit all my jobs to open my art gallery.

4. I know that you run Galerie C.O.A in Montreal, which is a contemporary art gallery. Do you ever have any shows of self-taught artists or do you keep the two things quite separate?
Like I said previously, when I first opened my gallery I was focusing on Urban and Contemporary art. I always loved atypical artists and for me, showing artists who started creating in the street was something that I found ''Outsider''. It's only since last year that I decided to move away from Urban Art and start to include ‘outsider artists’ into our shows. I was getting bored of the urban art scene and wanted the gallery to be a place that had more connection to what I had on my walls at home.

I wanted to pursue the same mission that we had with Joe Jack and John: working with disabled artists alongside contemporary ones. Building a place where they can be heard, promoted and recognised. For me, there's no difference between them - Good art still good art. I like to mix artists from different backgrounds and try to educate viewers and audiences about it.

And what does the C.O.A stand for?
There's different meanings behind C.O.A because It needs to work in both languages: French and English. When I first opened the gallery online, I was referencing ‘Certificate Of Authenticity’. For me it was relevant as I wanted to show ''Authentic'' (genuine) artists, and all collectors knows these three letters. In French there's another meaning; Créateur d'Oeuvres Atypiques (Creator who does atypical works).

L-R: Helen Rae, Tre’Von Silva and Eddie Martinez

5. What is it that draws your eye away from contemporary art to outsider/folk art? Or do you collect both?
I do collect both. As a gallery owner and a collector I'm only looking to find genuine and true art. I must say that I am more into the raw aesthetic. When I was 15 I discovered Basquiat and Cy Twombly and they changed my way of seeing art. I found myself involved in their work. I didn't totally understand it, but I had some physical reaction and I knew that their language was a part of me. I'm just trying to feel it again and again. What I'm looking for is a unique voice and a urge to create without compromise.

6. What style of work, if any, is of particular interest to you within this field? (for example is it embroidery, drawing, sculpture, and so on)
I collect everything: drawings, paintings, sculptures, etc. I must say that two years ago I discovered textile art and I have totally fallen in love with this medium of art.

7. Would you say you had a favourite artist or piece of work within your collection? And why?
Hum that's a tough question. I love all the artists in my collection, but I would have to say Dan Miller, Eric Derochette and John Maull. The way that they use lines and colors, and the way they orchestrate the chaos. For me they are like Twombly's sons.

8. Is there an exhibition in this field of art that you have felt has been particularly important? And why?
I mostly see shows online and read books. I'm still a young collector in this field, but for me personally I would say, things changed when I first read a book ‘Bound and Unbound’ about Judith Scott. It showed that art can really change people's lives and be an instrument of communication.

L-R: Eric Derochette, Jannick Deslauriers sculpture, Tre’Von Silva and Sylvain Corentin sculpture

9. Are there any people within this field that you feel have been particularly important to pave the way for where the field is at now?
I think all the employees, facilitators and directors who run all of the art centers like Creative Growth, NIAD, Creativity Explored, Tierra Del Sol, Center for Creative Works, Creahm, etc. I appreciate everyone who believes in difference and inclusivity. And all the galleries who work hard to educate the collectors, alongside the work of the Outsider Art Fair and the galleries that show there.

10. Where would you say you buy most of your work from: a studio, art fairs, exhibitions, auctions, or direct from artists?
As a gallery owner, I work directly with artists but also with some of the Art Centers. I like to buy from other galleries too because I find it important to build a relationship with people who are passionate about the same thing as me.

11. What you think of the term outsider art?
It's a tricky question because I'm always working for  the creation of inclusivity, but the reality is that outsider artists are creating outside the structures of the art world. They are creating without intention - Intention to be part of this structure, intention to make a living of their art or intention to be recognised, etc. I'm not a fan of labels, but people need them to be reassured. I think it's a necessity until society has changed. I hope one day we are going to label their works only as ‘Art’.

Top down: Peter Harris and John Maull

12. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I really think more people should buy art. It's good for the soul and I believe it makes you a better human. With Instagram, the reality is that most of the photos are photoshopped, and mostly everything you see is polished and mostly fake. Whereas living with art that was made sincerely without intention, opens a door on our true reality and identity as a human being.