Cars at sunset — Matthew Gagnon, BA 06, has raised more than $1,000 for Moisson Montréal from the sale of his confinement-inspired miniatures
Matthew Gagnon, BA 06 | Photo: Adriano Ciampoli
The Concordia alum depicts scenes of the ordinary and the iconic: a home with a rainbow “Ça va bien aller” sign in the window, Crescent Street with its towering Leonard Cohen mural, Champlain Bridge bathed in light, Mile End’s Café Olimpico, Atwater Market, Notre-Dame Basilica, Saint Joseph’s Oratory.
The challenge is to find something new to paint every day. That’s motivating, affirms Gagnon, who has managed to sell every painting produced as part of his series.
“I had no idea they would sell so fast,” he says. His initiative, which will continue until confinement measures are relaxed, has raised more than $1,000 so far.
Painting ‘makes me feel grounded’
Although he always considered himself “a visual thinker,” Gagnon came to painting relatively late in life. For years, he drew editorial cartoons for the Montreal Gazette’s West Island section. (Improbably, the talented Gagnon also builds model sailboats out of broken umbrellas.)
For nearly two decades, however, Gagnon has made a living as an actor. His film and TV credits include roles in Future Man, Mambo Italiano and Real Detective. Gagnon has also appeared on stage at the Segal Centre and Centaur Theatre.
Various galleries, including Wallcandy in Old Montreal, now sell his art. Gagnon’s BA in creative writing has been crucial to his process.
“Coming from a writing and acting background made the art work conceptual,” explains Gagnon, who returned to Concordia in 2007 to study fine arts. “I felt at home and very encouraged by the support of my teachers. I produced things in class that I’m still proud of 10 years later.”
‘Talent and the capacity to make change’
The distancing measures imposed by COVID-19 dealt Gagnon a double whammy. First, film, television and theatre stages shut down. Then an art show in Lac-Brome featuring his paintings was cancelled and indefinitely postponed.
“My wife is still teaching online and I can still paint everyday,” says Gagnon. “That makes me feel grounded.”
Gagnon’s initiative took Moisson Montréal by surprise. On day 44 of the confinement series, his fundraising efforts were welcomed “like a ray of sunshine,” says Richard D. Daneau, executive director of the long-standing charitable organization, which largely depends on donations from the food industry.
“Matthew’s a great person. We’re always touched by people with talent and the capacity to make change in the community.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the well-being of our students — many of whom can no longer afford basic necessities such as rent and groceries. If you can, please consider making a donation.
And if you’re participating in COVID-19 community projects, don’t forget to tell us: socialmedia.alumni@concordia.ca.
