SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Roméo Savoie, C.M.

Colleagues, Acadia and Canada have lost one of their greatest artists — a pioneer of modern art and a visionary in contemporary art — the architect, poet and painter Roméo Savoie. For over 60 years, this remarkable artist drew inspiration from these three professions to create a masterful body of work.

Born in Moncton, Roméo Savoie worked as an architect from 1959 to 1970, designing and building 50 or so landmark buildings in New Brunswick.

He left that profession in 1976 to devote himself to his artistic and literary endeavours. He would go on to produce more than 4,000 paintings and present roughly 100 exhibitions over more than half a century, in addition to publishing five collections of poetry that undeniably paved the way for generations of artists.

Looking at his work, both visual and literary, we appreciate its universal appeal, while recognizing that Roméo Savoie remained deeply attached to his Acadian culture. His predilection for abstract painting forces the viewer to confront his works head-on, to dialogue with them, and to celebrate them for the mysteries they contain.

For this creator, art is a process by which the artist transforms himself and transfers the knowledge he gains from that experience to his work. His existential quest is reflected not only in his painting but also in his writing. It is easy to see that his relationship with his art is a life lesson for everyone who knew him.

Reflecting on his artistic process, he once said:

Stop and look at a particular thing and try to understand the meaning of beauty, the meaning of a flower, a twig, a cloud, you see. Spend time doing that, and you will understand the meaning of life a little better.

Roméo Savoie received numerous accolades, including the Order of Canada. Today, his work can be found in the art banks of the Canada Council for the Arts and the New Brunswick Arts Board, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris, and the collections of many universities and banks.

Thanks to the Canada Council Art Bank, I have the great pleasure to have in my Senate office in East Block his painting Venezia, a work as enigmatic, luminous and profound as Venice, the city that inspired it.

Speaking about his occupation, Roméo Savoie once said:

Being in the world of creation, creating something for others, what we call beauty, is a gift that I received from somewhere.

It is our turn, dear Roméo, to recognize one of the magnificent gifts that life gave us, and that is you, your talent, your work, your unwavering commitment to art, and your immeasurable love for Acadia. Today, Canada is richer thanks to your time on this earth.

Rest in peace, dear friend.