Jessie Babin

Home: Dalhousie, New Brunswick
Title: Valmont
Media: Graphite and crayon on paper / graphite et crayon sur papier
Dimensions: 96.5 x 76 cm
Website: www.jessiebabin.com

Valmont:  I believe portraits tell a story and go beyond the act of drawing or painting a face.  A portrait is capable of capturing one’s personality and history. Every wrinkle, every scar, every blemish, however unwanted or disliked they may be are the representation of a person’s past; they are the story of a life. They thus have the ability to give the viewer a deep and intimate look at one person and their experiences. Valmont is my grandfather; he is 83 years old and happens to be quite the artist himself. I knew from the very moment I decided to draw a portrait for the Kingston Prize, he would be my subject. Rather than being presented in a way to flatter or hide so-called flaws, he’s been deliberately posed in a manner that allows every detail to be highlighted and celebrated. Personally I don’t believe in the stigma of aging. Time brings with it new wrinkles, bumps and lumps that we hate to acknowledge but are simply evidence of another year’s passing. When I see a face full of deep creases, age spots and saggy skin, I see a person that is able to say: “I’ve been through some life, and I’ve earned these stripes.”

2013 People’s Choice (Gananoque)

EDUCATION:
2012 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Minor in Drawing, NSCAD, Halifax Nova Scotia

SOLO EXHIBITIONS:
2012 Black Drawings, Capitol Theatre Art Gallery, Moncton, New Brunswick
2012 Smoke & Mirrors, Gallery 78, Fredericton, New Brunswick
2013 Smoke Drawings, Botega, Banff, Alberta (upcoming)

GROUP EXHIBITIONS:
2012 NSCAD Grad Show, Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax Nova Scotia
2012 BMO 1^st Art Exhibition, Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art
2013 Food-A dish best served painted, Gallery 78, Fredericton, New Brunswick

AWARDS:
2012 BMO 1^st Art Award (Nova Scotia)

CATALOGUES:
2012 NSCAD University 2012 Graduation Catalogue
2012 BMO 1^st Art Award 2012 Catalogue