Charles Paradis
Charles Paradis is a Montreal-based artist of Québécois-Vietnamese heritage, whose work explores the intersection of urban design and natural environments through a neo-surrealist lens. He graduated Concordia University’s Fine Arts program in 2020.
His artistic vision is rooted in vivid childhood recollections, particularly of visiting unfamiliar spaces such as homes, public places, and natural landscapes. These encounters left a lasting impression, and his strives to capture the subtle disorientation and intrigue these places sparked. His work reflects these fragmented memories, where the familiar meets the unknown in compositions that feel both comforting and mysterious.
His paintings are characterized by their saturated color palettes and warm lighting, often creating a theatrical atmosphere. His ability to balance architectural, urban elements with organic forms results in environments that blur the boundaries between the man-made and the natural. By merging these contrasting elements, he creates dreamlike spaces that reflect his fascination with how environments shape emotional and sensory experiences.
A hallmark of his work is the use of collage-like techniques that evoke childhood "bricolage," where different materials are assembled to form a cohesive whole. Paradis mirrors this process in his paintings, layering visual elements to create depth and texture, even though the surfaces remain flat. The trompe-l'œil effect he employs blurs the line between the two- and three-dimensional, enhancing the illusion of depth within his intricate scenes. Every element in Paradis’ work is thoughtfully connected to memory.
The architectural details, objects, and even the play of light and shadow are carefully chosen to evoke the essence of places that may only exist in fleeting recollection. This methodical layering of memory and imagination allows him to explore the emotional and psychological impact of space in a way that is deeply personal. His work serves as a quiet reflection on the fragmented nature of memory and the imaginative power it holds.