CLAUDIA GOMEZ

Vice-versa, a contemporary Jewelry collection inspired by intestinal epithelial cells — responsible for nutrient absorption and supporting the gut microbiome, a cornerstone of our health — explores the dialogue between biological form and artistic expression.

At the intersection of art and science, this collection translates the architecture of these cells into materials chosen for both their physical and symbolic qualities. Synthetic tulle, flexible and heat-shapeable, echoes the three-dimensional texture of intestinal microvilli. Woven metals such as copper and steel represent the permeability and constant movement of living tissue. Silver, with its strength and lustre, evokes the protective quality of these microscopic structures.

Vice-versa is an intimate reflection on the human body — its strength and fragility — and an invitation to discover the beauty within.

ELIN WEINSTEIN

Elin Weinstein, a jeweler influenced by her Eastern European Jewish roots and deeply inspired by the Cree of northern Quebec and the ʼNa̱mǥis First Nation of British Columbia, blends cultural heritage with creativity. While conducting anthropological fieldwork in Bali, she embraced the Balinese belief that some art is alive, inspired by the Gods. As a jeweler, Elin merges cultural scholarship with Living Art.

She uses pearls in unique ways, exploring bold contrasts in her designs. A trip to Tokyo’s vibrant neon lights inspired her to incorporate colorful acrylics into her jewelry, creating pieces that evoke playfulness and joy. Elin will showcase two collections: For the Love of Pearls and Techno Japan

SUSAN MICHELE SMITH

Inspired by stunning forms in nature and architecture, Susan Michele Smith transforms lustrous, malleable precious metals into bold works of fine jewellery. Her one-of-a-kind pieces, while large in scale, are exquisitely detailed and finished with precision. The Laurentian mountains, Atlantic coastline, and urban Montreal skyline inform her work.

montrealsmith.ca

ANUXE

Iranian-born Anuxe discovered ceramics in Montréal in 1990. She explored various techniques, focusing especially on hand-building to develop her sculptural work. Though she uses electric kiln-fired clays, she is also drawn to low-temperature firings methods like smoke firing and primitive techniques. Her artistic approach bears witness to the lived experiences of women, especially Iranian women: the traces and marks on the surface of her sculptures reflect those imprinted in life. Inscribed in her work are themes of childhood, nature, internal struggle, pain, and also lightness.

CHRISTIANE LEMIEUX

Felt and needle artist Christiane Lemieux celebrates the magic and mystery of the natural world with her felted wool sculptures. Her creations embody the vitality, soul, intelligence, elegance, and beauty of the animals she portrays. Wool offers rich nuance for her explorations. Using a barbed needle, she integrates and sculpts the wool fibers, a technique that requires great patience and skill. Naturally dyed wools let her give her creatures their defining characteristics.

YVES COUSINEAU

Sculptor and mobile designer Yves Cousineau, inspired by Alexander Calder’s kinetic objects, creates spiraling mobiles featuring hand-carved animals and spirit creatures influenced by Indigenous and Asian traditions. Made of fine local hardwoods harvested through careful observation of their environment, the works come to life in a spirit of symbiosis with the forests of Québec. Balance and movement in space and the search for formal beauty distinguish Yves’ mobiles. He develops rudimentary concept sketches and lets the gradual process guide his creations. He finds inspiration in the evolution of the form, the qualities of wood, and the beautiful  natural anomalies in his materials. 

yvcousin@yahoo.ca

MARC CRAMER

Photographer Marc Cramer presents his new project Travel Journals. Natural splendour, emotional depth, and historical richness combine to create a dynamic and eloquent canvas. In the immensity of the imagination, birds sketch a dance of love among the roses. Flowers reveal their unique beauty against a backdrop of diverse landscapes. Within the walls of Versailles, a historic garden reveals its majesty. Dialogues emerge, captivating and intriguing. In this visual odyssey, images are juxtaposed to create unforgettable stories. The excellence of Marc’s work was honoured with the Gold Award at the prestigious Grands Prix du Design in 2022 and the Platinum Award in 2023

LOUIS FOURNIER

Throughout his professional media career, Louis Fournier has used photography as a deeply personal form of artistic expression, drawing inspiration primarily from nature. His approach involves allowing subjects to reveal themselves spontaneously to his awareness. From there, everything becomes about capturing the moment, selecting a perspective, and visualizing the result before pressing the shutter. 

louisfournier339@gmail.com

ALAIN CARRIERE and ALBERT LECLERC

Alain Carrière is a graduate of the Sogetsu School of Ikebana. For almost two decades, he studied the Japanese art of floral arrangement under the guidance of Master Mieko Seibi Watanabe. He travels frequently to Japan, where he continues to refine his practice at the Tokyo Sogetsu Headquarters. As successor to Ms Watanabe, he is the president of Seibi-Kai, the Montreal chapter of the Sogetsu school. In addition to teaching floral arrangement, Alain makes ceramic presentation vessels. He will present his floral arrangements in his own ceramic vases and those of Albert Leclerc ( collection ”Le Palle”)

ALEXANDRE MCLEAN

Alexandre McLean, museum technician, has long installed exhibitions at the Musée d’art Contemporain de Montréal. Alex creates the custom luminous wall mounted & standalone tables, panels, and display stands that our jewelers use to present their creations. He also contributes to the installation of our exhibitions. Alex has his woodworking studio in the Allied building in the Mile End.

podalx@yahoo.com

TING-FEN CHIN

Ting-Fen Chin, a Montréal-based silversmith draws spiritual and creative inspiration from nature. Through careful hammering, she shapes silver into a piece of bark for a brooch, a flower for a cup, a twig for a teaspoon. Using ancient techniques, she creates one-piece teapots in fine silver without soldering. Her progressive hammering process requires great patience and organization. Her unique creations combine art with functionality, evolving through a process that fuses tradition and innovation. Ting-Fen was one of the finalists for the 2023 and 2024 François-Houdé Award, awarded by La Guilde des Métiers d’art. The City of Montréal has acquired two of her works for its municipal art collection. Ting-Fen will present a tea ceremony with her tea vessels on Saturday, July 12 at 2 pm.