Prix François-Houdé 2017 awarded to Magali Thibault Gobeil

Artist list

Magali Thibault Gobeil

The jeweller Magali Thibault Gobeil is the winner of the Prix François-Houdé 2017. Ms. Christine Gosselin, member of the executive committee in charge of culture, heritage and design at Ville de Montréal, awarded her the distinction tonight, along with a $5,000 grant, during a ceremony held at La Guilde, in collaboration with the Conseil des métiers d'art du Québec (CMAQ). Ms. Christine Gosselin stated: "The Prix François-Houdé aims to reward excellence in artistic creation among Montréal's emerging artisans in the field of fine crafts. I would like to congratulate the winner, Magali Thibault Gobeil, as well as the 11 finalists, who all share the craftsmanship and original outlook on their art. Their artistic work contributes to the evolution and enhancement of Montréal's fine crafts."

Mr. Luc Lavigne, president of the CMAQ expressed the following: "This year, we are celebrating the 22nd edition of the Prix François-Houdé and we are very happy to continue our collaboration with the city in order to allow Montréal's up-and-coming artisans to shine. Creations by this year's finalists and by previous winners bear witness to the extensive creativity and excellence of local fine crafts. The CMAQ wishes to thank the city for its relentless commitment to emerging artisans in the field of fine crafts."

Revolutionizing the world of jewellery
The jury, made up of Jason Conway, cabinet maker, Sébastien Duchange, glass artist, Rosie Godbout, textile artist, France Goneau, ceramic artist, and Antonio Serafino, jeweller, has chosen Ms. Magali Thibault Gobeil among the 12 finalists, for the expressive strength of the materials used, for her mastery of technique, her precision, the refined detail in her work, for the attention and reflection processes awakened by her work and for her thrilling imagination. Self-taught and trained by her parents, both artists, the winner of the Prix François-Houdé also received specialized training in jewellery at the Cégep du Vieux-Montréal, in association with the École de joaillerie de Montréal. Driven by her desire to revolutionize the world of jewellery, she draws her artistic process from her quest for fluidity in both shapes and colors.  

Prix François-Houdé
The award was named in memory of François Houdé, an internationally renowned glass sculptor, and cofounder of the Centre des métiers du verre du Québec. This collaboration between the city and the CMAQ aims to promote excellence in Montréal's new fine crafts creations and the dissemination of artwork created by young artisans. It highlights the remarkable craftsmanship of these artisans and their original contribution to the practice of fine crafts related to the transformation of wood, leather, textiles, metals, glass, ceramic, paper or other materials, all the while recognizing their mastery of exploratory techniques specific to their discipline.