LITTLE BURGUNDY X LAURENCE VALLIÈRES

6/10/2019

She’s a Montreal artist known for creating incredible 3D structures from recycled cardboard that reflect on social and environmental issues. She has been recognized in several art reviews and created pieces for Burning Man. Her work focuses on sustainability, reflecting on nature’s impermanence.

This year, Little Burgundy is teaming up with sculpture artist Laurence Vallières for our partnership with MURAL Festival. Laurence is one of the creative minds that inspire us and that you must discover, without a doubt.

To support our partnership with the Société pour la nature et les parcs du Canada (SNAP) a non-profit organization dedicated to the long-term conservation of Quebec’s wilderness Laurence brings our native wildlife from the backcountry to the big city with three incredible structures made from recycled cardboard (and our customer’s shoe boxes). All festival long, we’ll be selling $10 tickets to enter to win one of these one-of-a-kind pieces, and all proceeds will go toward SNAP.

We sat down with Laurence to learn more about her and about her work. Get to know her right here!

How did you first get into art and sculpture?

I’ve always studied art, and was drawn to sculpture right away. It was easier and made me feel more comfortable.

What inspired you to start creating animal sculptures?

I think all artists are attracted to a subject without really knowing why at first. For me, it was animals. I wanted to represent what they think about, their calmness, their posture. There was something that felt organic to me.

Why did you decide to partner with Little Burgundy?

It’s really important to Little Burgundy that they reduce their environmental footprint, and since I work with cardboard, Little Burgundy had the idea to collect their customer’s cardboard shoe boxes so that I could use them to create sculptures. It saves me time and it’s a really great initiative.

What about the sculpture you’re doing that will be on St-Laurent Boulevard?

This will be the first project in which I build with Coroplast. Meaning that for once, I’ll be using recycled materials, like cardboard, but that can stay outside for a given period of time.

Can you tell us about the partnership with SNAP?

I thought it was a great charity. I didn’t know about it at first. Little Burgundy introduced me to it. They had this great idea of doing a lottery. These three sculptures will be on display at MURAL Festival and people will be able to buy tickets for a chance to win one of them. It’s a great way to make art accessible to everyone.

So I created Canadian animals. Here, we have a bear, a rabbit and a fox. Tickets will be $10 and all proceeds will go toward the SNAP organization.Tickets will be sold online and onsite. But I recommend buying them onsite so that you can take a look at the sculptures.

This is our first time taking part in MURAL Festival. What can we expect?

This time around, you can expect a much bigger installation than in previous years, something much more resistant. I think it will be even more impressive.

Joins us at our pop-up art gallery on St-Laurent Boulevard during the MURAL Festival from June 6 to 16 to see her incredible pieces of art for yourself!