Until April 16, hooked rugs made in the 20th century are showcased along the ones created by four Canadian artists at the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec.
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec
When modern-day hooked rugs meet their ancestors
> Karine Boivin-Forcier
Past and present are coexisting in the Tapis crochetés exhibit held at the Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec. The expo showcases the work of four contemporary hooked rugs artists along with tapestries created by our ancestors.
Four women are responsible for the works of art hanging from the walls, all of them created in a very distinctive style.
The exhibit begins with the hooked rugs wove by Nova Scotia native Margaret Forsey. The youngest out of the four artists shows her young age in the way her tapestries are constructed. Her work reveals very colourful characters that are something between realistic portraits and cartoon characters. They represent people who are dear to her and she recycled some of their old clothes as fabrics.
Then, right down the corner, Montreal’s own Rachelle Leblanc textile art is on display. Her hooked rugs are similar to paintings as they are very realistic. Of Acadian origins, Mrs Leblanc often tells the story of her people in her works. She gets her inspiration from things that surround her like nature and her family. She used new wool that she dyed herself in order to obtain specific colours.
On the wall at the back of the room, we can see Deanne Fitzpatrick’s hooked rugs. The artist from Nova-Scotia uses old fabric that she buys in thrift stores. She gets her creative flow going when thinking about nature and the maritime landscapes. This reflects in her hooked rugs as they display a wide variety of colours and shades.
The last of the four artists is also from Nova Scotia. Doris Eaton’s hooked rugs could be compared to watercolour paintings. She’s also greatly inspired by nature and her environment.
Hooked rugs from the past
The exhibit also showcases tapestries made in Quebec at the beginning of the 20th century. They are place horizontally on tables at the center of the room. “The reason why we put them this way is because in the past, they would put them on the floor. They’re also very fragile,” explained museum director Pierre Wilson. Looking at these rugs is like going back in time. They were made on jute canvas with old recycled fabric. Animals, especially roosters, can often be seen. The rooster had great significance in the Quebec culture of this time.
The Tapis crochetés exhibit will be presented until April 16.
(Translated by Pascal LeBlanc)
(Photo: Martin Alarie)
Météo: Montréal, 16 mai 2008 / 11°C
/ Ciel dégagé
/ Vents: 11 Km/h / Humidité relative: 47 % 
Steven Guilbeault - 
