Local artist donates works to Montfort Hospital Birthing Centre
Marlene Munroe de Montigny celebrated during Oct. 8 reception
The worlds of art and medicine joined together for a special ceremony at Montfort Hospital on Oct. 8.
That evening, Manor Park-area artist Marlene Munroe de Montigny was celebrated for her generous donation of two of her paintings. Appropriately, the works — titled Mère, enfant & amour and Les débuts de la vie et de l’amour — have a new home in the Birthing Centre.
Addressing the audience gathered at the hospital for the occasion, Marlene’s granddaughter Laurence de Montigny St-Onge said, “Granny spent her career painting children and generations. Now her work will hang in the place where generations begin, the place where my own children began. New moms and dads will walk past these paintings during some of the biggest moments of their lives.”
The evening reception was hosted by Marlene’s daughter Lisa and husband Walter, Manor Park residents and long-time Montfort supporters. Laurence, herself a “Montfort baby,” said it was an opportunity to pay tribute to her grandmother for all the love and joy she’s brought to so many through her art.
“Granny, look at the life you’ve lived: the art, the travels, the curiosity, the joy. I think I speak for everyone in this room when I say we all hope to be just like you when we’re 90.”
Still active
The accomplished artist reached the milestone birthday on Oct. 15. She remains as active as ever, Laurence told the crowd.
“Even now … not a day goes by without her creating something,” she said. “Some days it’s a painting on canvas. Other days it’s a quick sketch from a park bench, which she sends by email to her family and friends with a little description of the scene and how it made her feel. Those emails are like little treasures that land in your inbox in the middle of a busy week.”
A native of New Brunswick, Marlene obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1973 from the Université du Québec (in Trois Rivières) prior to continuing her studies at the Center for Advanced Visual Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “Yes, that MIT,” Laurence noted.
Later, there was studio work and seminars in San Francisco, California and Montréal, Québec. She spent 11 years painting in her studio in Vence, in the south of France, and later opened a studio and gallery in Boca Raton, Florida.
Amnesty International
“In 1993, Amnesty International chose one of her paintings (The Barriers) for their poster. It was launched at the Musée du Québec and shown on television in 60 countries. Today her work hangs in public and private collections across North America and Europe,” Laurence explained.
In a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, Marlene’s artistic journey has seen her explore a wide range of styles — from abstract art to sculpture and, most recently, watercolours. A key theme permeates throughout each artistic period, she explained in an interview with the Chronicle earlier this year.
“What delights me most is capturing and getting the emotion across in each of my works,” Marlene told Sharleen Tattersfield. “Drawing has always been my strong point. And, being continuously passionate about life and my work.”
Special exhibit
Laurence recalled a particular exhibit her grandmother held in Trois-Rivières in 1996, entitled Générations d’enfants (Generations of Children).
“The paintings showed children from different eras side by side, and they carried one idea: inside each of us, there is still a child,” she said.
Marlene shared her love of the arts with Laurence and now does the same thing for her great-grandchildren. No matter the creation, there’s always love and encouragement.
“That’s Granny. It’s never about perfection. It’s about expression. She isn’t only a painter, either. She’s creative in everything.”
On Oct. 8, it was the community’s chance to express their appreciation for her generosity to a hospital that means so much to so many families.
“I hope they feel what I feel when I look at Granny’s work: warmth, love, and a reminder that every child has something beautiful to express,” Laurence said.