Craft Artists from Quebec Featured at Prestigious SOFA Chicago.

Business Editors/Arts and Entertainment Writers

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2000

Quebec Craft Gallery (d'arts du Quebec) will be presenting works from 11 renown Quebec craft artists at the Sculptural Objects and Functional Art (SOFA) exhibit taking place November 3-5 2000 in Chicago at the Navy Pier.

The gallery's juried exhibition will feature the work of contemporary Quebec craft artists in a variety of media. Exhibiting with the gallery this year:

-   Chantal Gilbert, jeweller and sculptural knifemaker. Part of her
    work stems from a desire to codify the knife in a different way.
    The pieces are no longer weapons or tools-her unique appropriation
    of the knife results in stunning works of art rather than mere
    utilitarian objects.

-   Luci Veilleux, jeweller. The fascination of Veilleux's wearable
    art lies in its fluid lines, metamorphosis over time, changes in
    rhythm and the logical, unusual and harmonious interaction of
    materials.

-   Christine Larochelle, jeweler. Her stunning pieces are inspired by
    carapaces, shells, fur and plumage observed in wildlife.

-   Rosie Godbout, textile artist: In an attempt to free herself from
    the constraints of traditional weaving techniques. Godbout
    explores the various possibilities that fabric printing offers by
    applying pigment directly onto the warp and weft threads.

-   Jean-Marie Giguere, glass. His work is intended to evoke
    communication between individuals. The use of signs and symbols
    explains the intentions and interactions between living beings, as
    well as their relationship with their community. The use of
    geographic, cosmic and folkloric indicators situates humankind in
    time, with all its strengths and weaknesses.

-   Sylvie Belanger, glass. Belanger looks to history and mythology
    for inspiration. The images and ways of the past spark her
    imagination and are conveyed in her blown, cast and twisted glass
    assemblages of metal pigments and sand.

-   Paul Bogati, ceramist. Through his bronze, stoneware and
    terracotta sculpture Bogati succeeds at illustrating his
    fascination with two extremes: human misery and the greatness of
    man.

-   Mitsuru Cope's ceramist. Her whimsical and humorous creatures are
    loosely based on Japanese folk tales. Her ideas come from her
    experience and observations of people and animals.

-   Eva Lapka, ceramist. Lapka explores the characteristics of people
    in all eras; people crushed under the weight of their condition,
    torn and worn down by a turbulent past; but also people as bearers
    of all the power of ideas, burning with both infinite wisdom and
    an unquenchable thirst for truth.

-   Gary Merkel, ceramist. With its hint of whimsy and intrigue, his
    work ranges from the functional to the decorative to the
    sculptural.

-   Danielle Carignan, sculptor and fine woodworker. Her sculptural
    furniture pieces resemble animals or characters, each with their
    own personality.

You will find many of these artists on site to discuss their work.

Each year the SOFA exhibit has been attracting collectors, gallery owners, architects and art lovers from around the world. Last year SOFA CHICAGO 1999 closed after record sales and gate attendance. Patrons were delighted by a multitude of sophiticated and innovative artworks. This year the exhibit will feature 90 select galleries mostly from the United States but also including galleries from London, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Australia and three from Montreal: Galerie des metiers d'art du Quebec, Galerie Elena Lee and Option Art.

The Quebec Craft Council's head office is located in Montreal, Quebec. The Council has been instrumental in assuring a Quebec presence at SOFA, including the presence of its own gallery-the Galerie des metiers d'art du Quebec. In November 2000, the gallery will be presenting unique and innovative crafts at booth #1301 in the Festival Hall of the Navy Pier in Chicago.

For additional information on the Quebec Craft Council visit their site at http://www.metiers-d-art.qc.ca or contact France Bernard at 514.861.2787 ext. 310. For further information on the SOFA Chicago 2000 exhibit go to www.sofaexpo.com