For over a century, Brunet Monuments has designed and carved memorials of excellence in stone, granite and marble.
Indeed Brunet Monuments has become a leader in the profession. Though “pride in work well done” is not commonplace in today’s world, this has been our trademark from the beginning. What’s more, beauty has always been of the highest importance for us, as attested by our products found throughout Canada. After more than one hundred years and four generations in the business, we have established ourselves at the forefront of stone craft.
The idea to explore various other themes worthy of our craft followed naturally. I had always dreamt of making real art pieces — a stimulation for the senses — addressing a wider range of emotions than those normally aroused by our monuments. I desired to solicit bold new discoveries from this stone that I know so well, that I love and respect. I wished to set things funny, serious or trivial to stone; joy as well as sadness; the classic and the modern. I desired to touch and transform stone with my hands, invest this cold material with a human sensibility, warmth and life. But how could this dream come true, being a craftsman and not an artist? Of course I am able to manage my colleagues — designers and engravers — pressing them do the best work possible. But I can also appreciate beauty; I am moved by what is pleasing. And the desire to create beauty keeps gnawing at me. Motivated by such a desire, yet a prisoner of my limitations, I have ever felt the need to transcend everyday tasks with a range of new and diverse possibilities. But how?
Over the years, Brunet Monuments has been called upon to work on many types of projects. During this time, I have met with a variety of artists, some even becoming friends. I came up with the idea for this project by working with such talented people. Time for action! I asked these artists — friends and acquaintances — to submit works suitable for transformation into this other medium. Sketches, paintings and designs from their mind’s eye coming to life in stone! It goes without saying that our collaboration was fraught with challenges, discussions, elaborations and amendments, to say nothing of the wonderful surprises upon receiving their projects. In the end, it has been an immense pleasure to have set their ideas to stone!
Through the creations that you are about to discover, witness the birth of Studio Brunet, which shall hereafter attend to the artistic needs our business.
What you see on display here tonight is a loving tribute to my father, Pierre L. Brunet. Artist, cartoonist, engraver, sculptor, esthete, he had a profound love of art. Yet because of business and family obligations, he rarely had the opportunity to play with and enjoy — as much as he would have liked — the noble medium that is stone.
This is for you, Dad!
Acknowledgements
First off, I should like to thank the artists whose works are on display:
Réal Bérard · Monique Brunet · Suzanne Brunet · Émile Chartier
Étienne Gaboury · Sophie Lavoie David MacNair · David Perrett
Denis Savoie · Deon Tanasiciuk · Gary Tessier · Hubert Theroux
Madeleine Vrignon
I am most grateful for the confidence you bestowed upon me, for your patience and especially for your creativity. — Thank you so much!
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Our thanks to the staff of the CCFM, Hélène Molin-Gautron and Emmanuelle Rigaud. Your help in organizing and preparing the event was most precious.
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Finally, a very special “Thank you!” goes to my team: Benoît Brunet, my son and head carver; Deon Tanasiciuk, designer and carver; and Denis Savoie, illustrator and graphic designer. Without you, this project — much as it was desired — would never have seen the light of day.