Lionel Guilbeault. Sculptor. Woodcarver. Coteau-Landing, Cte Soulange, Quebec. Active 1940’s – late 20th c.
Lionel Guilbeault made ‘bas reliefs’ and also carved in the round. He moved to Montreal’s east end in his childhood and moved to the Richelieu Valley where he started carving full time in 1963. His subjects were people in all walks of life and farm animals. He carved in Basswood, pine and maple and often made relief carvings of people (Busts). He was known for carving people at rest – an old ‘pensioner seated at the table lost in thought’ – ‘an old man in a home’. Not typical subjects of the popular ‘folk’ artists of the time. He did not have a studio or work shop; he carved at the kitchen table nor did he buy his wood – preferring to work with ‘as found’ materials. He did not colour his carvings anor did he always sign them.
Ref: Jean Simard, Pour Passer Le Temps: Artistes Populaires Du Quebec, Gouvernement du Quebec, Ministere des Affaires Culturelles. 1985.
