René Derouin was born in Montréal in 1936 and lives in Val-David, in the Laurentians. For over forty years, the explorations of this multidisciplinary artist have taken him on successive journeys in which he has probed the continental identity of the Americas, from North to South. As far back as 1955, he became interested in pre-Columbian cultures and began to learn about Mexican mural art. He has also pursued his investigations in the Far North of Québec. In seeking his roots, he has delved into the notion of being “American,” digging deep into cultural and territorial memories, as well as questions of migration and the mixing of cultures, past and present. The result is an exemplary, highly current artistic practice, itself culturally mixed and baroque, which ranges from printmaking and drawing to sculpture and installation.

In addition to Derouin’s countless exhibitions in Québec, across Canada and in Mexico, his remarkable works have been shown in France, the Unites States, Venezuela, Australia and Japan.

His works may be found in many national and international collections¾testimony to the excellence of his art. They include the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Musée de la civilisation du Québec, Bibliothèque du Québec, Bibliothèque nationale de France, National Gallery of Canada, Glenbow Museum in Calgary, Museo Tamayo de Arte Contemporáneo Internacional and Museo Universitario del Chopo, both in Mexico City, Loto-Québec, National Bank and numerous private collections.

The many prestigious awards he has won both in Québec and beyond its borders (Mexico and Assemblée parlementaire de la francophonie) clearly demonstrate his outstanding contribution and the fundamental role he has played in the world of arts and culture in Québec, across Canada and throughout the Americas, most especially in Mexico.

2011 MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF CANADA

2008 CHEVALIER OF THE ORDRE NATIONAL DU QUÉBEC

2007 CHEVALIER OF THE ORDRE DE LA PLÉIADE – Québec Section of the Assemblée parlementaire de la francophonie, for his distinguished efforts in the service of the ideals of cooperation and friendship in the French-speaking world.

2006 MEXICAN ORDER OF THE AZTEC EAGLE, the highest distinction the Mexican government awards to foreign citizens.

2005 ORANGE AWARD from SAVE MONTRÉAL and AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, 23rd edition, from the Ordre des architectes du Québec, for his outstanding accomplishment integrating the arts into architecture with his large mural, Trois siècles de migration sur le territoire des Amériques, created for the Theology Library at Jean-de-Brébeuf College.

1999 QUÉBEC’s PRIX PAUL-ÉMILE-BORDUAS, for his remarkable body of work and his exceptional contribution to the cultural development of Québec society.

PALACIO DE BELLAS ARTES medal awarded by the CONSULATE OF MEXICO, for his contribution to cultural exchanges.

1998 CAREER GRANT from the CONSEIL DES ARTS ET DES LETTRES DU QUÉBEC.