Claude Gauvreau
Claude Gauvreau was a Canadian poet, playwright, and artist born in Montreal in 1925. He studied classics and philosophy at the Université de Montréal and became associated with Les Automatistes, a group influenced by Surrealism that advocated for spontaneous artistic expression. Gauvreau made significant contributions to the arts, notably signing the 1948 manifesto by Paul-Émile Borduas. His personal life was marked by tragedy, particularly following the suicide of an actress he loved, which led to multiple stays in psychiatric hospitals. As a creative innovator, he developed a unique language called "Exploréen," embracing invented words and visual collages in his work. Among his notable pieces are "Les Oranges sont vertes" and "La Charge de l'original émpormyable." Gauvreau passed away in 1971 under circumstances that remain ambiguous, with some considering his death a suicide despite it being officially ruled as an accident. His legacy continues to resonate in the realms of literature and visual art, reflecting the complexities of his life and creative spirit.
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Subject Terms
Claude Gauvreau
Poet
- Born: August 19, 1925
- Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Died: July 9, 1971
Biography
Claude Gauvreau was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1925. He attended college at Sainte-Marie and studied the classics and also studied at the Universite de Montreal, where he earned a degree in philosophy. After writing his first play in 1947, Gauvreau became a supporter of Les Automatistes, who were influenced by Surrealism and encouraged spontaneous creations of art. In 1948, Gauvreau signed the manifesto of Paul-Émile Borduas, a leading automatist. When the actress Gauvreau with whom was in love with committed suicide, Gauvreau was emotionally shaken and began a series of stays at a psychiatric hospital: He was admitted ten times in eight years. Gauvreau worked as a scriptwriter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He also organized two art exhibitions, Exposition des rebelles, in 1950, and La Matiere chante, in 1954. A poet, playwright, and artist, Gauvreau was influenced by Dadaism and Surrealism. He developed a language he called “Exploréen” and encouraged the use of invented words and visual collages. His most notable works are Les Oranges sont vertes and La Charge de l’original émpormyable. Gauvreau died under mysterious circumstances in 1971. Though his death was ruled as an accident, it is considered by many to have been a suicide.