Marcel Barbeau

Marcel Barbeau was a Canadian painter, sculptor, and multidisciplinary artist, known for his restless creativity and fearless experimentation. A student of Paul-Émile Borduas, he became a member of the Automatistes and a signatory of the revolutionary Refus Global manifesto in 1948.

Barbeau’s career spanned more than six decades, during which he constantly reinvented his practice—exploring lyrical abstraction, kinetic sculpture, collage, and optical art. His works often vibrate with color, rhythm, and energy, reflecting his interest in music and movement.

His pieces are part of collections at the National Gallery of Canada, Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, and internationally in Europe and the U.S. He received the Order of Canada and the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts for his lifetime contributions.