Non figurative artists' association of montrea

DEFINITION

Also known as "Association des Artists Non Figuratifs de Montreal", it was an alliance of Montreal abstract artists organized in 1956. In the words of Fernand Leduc, the first president, it was: ". . . a way of bringing together artists who would compel recognition from society for a type of art which it rejected; who would force museums to open their doors; who would force the powers that be to recognize the group.??? Its membership of about 50 included Plasticiens*, Automatistes* and even a member of Painters Eleven* (Ray Mead). The only thing all the members had in common was interests in abstraction, however, most had exhibited in ???Espace 55??? (1955) at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and, most were exhibitors at Guido Molinari???s Galerie l??? Actuelle. The first exhibition was at Helene de Champlaine restaurant in 1956. Subsequent exhibitions included the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (1957), the Ecole des Beaus-arts (1959) and "Espace Dynamique" at Denyse Delrue Gallery (1960). As the members individually gained prominence, due in part to the success of the group, they drifted away and the organization disbanded in 1961. Sources: ???A Concise History of Canadian Painting??? (1973), by Dennis Reid and "Contemporary Canadian Art" (1983), by David Burnett & Marilyn Schiff (see both in AskART Book references). Prepared and contributed by M.D. Silverbrooke. * For more in-depth information about these terms and others, see AskART.com Glossary http://www.askart.com/AskART/lists/Art_Definition.aspx