THE ARTISTS
Artistic approach
Born in 1949, Gérad Metzger’s first contact with drawing was in Toulouse, France. He came to Canada out of curiosity, stayed to attend the School of Fine Arts in Québec City, and then studied sculpture in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli. In 1968 and 1969, his experiments with etching techniques led him to make his own tools, printing inks and varnishes, as well as printing presses of his own design.
In his work, animals in their natural settings or the intrusion of a human presence in nature, still life compositions, and even urban architecture all provide a pretext for the study of light and shadow as they shape and blur the forms. Interaction between the different elements in assembled images represents an interest and a challenge. In effect, what must be kept and what must be subdued ? Each aspect has its impact on the final image and how it will be perceived.
The artists etchings are produced on cold rolled copper plate. He usually works with a hard ground varnish but many other types of grounds are also used. The main technique is "l'eau-forte" (etching with acid) which is used in conjunction with other techniques such as engraving aquatint, dry point and mezzotint depending on the desired effect and texture.
1974 Experiments with etching techniques
Exhibit at Manoir Couillard-Dupuis in Montmagny, Québec
1975 Grant from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs
1976 Exhibition at the International Centre in Québec City
1977 Exhibition at the Benedeck Grenier Gallery in Québec City
1978 Exhibition at the Museum of Québec
1979 Grant from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs
1980 Special commission for the Paint Manufacturers of Canada Conference
1983 Exhibition at l'Atelier Delphin in Ottawa
1986 Exhibition at the Tango Gallery in Québec City
1987 Special commission for the Provincial General Auditors in Québec City
Her Excellency the General Governor, Mrs Jeanne Sauvé, selected some of my
works for presentation to the heads of state at the World Francophone Summit in
Québec City
1992 Exhibitions in Halifax and Wolfville Nova Scotia
1993 Exhibitions at the Convention Centre and Dalhousie University in Halifax and in
Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Ames-Garant Convention in Québec City