Julie D’Amour-Léger was born in Caraquet, New Brunswick, in 1963. From the age of 12 she was introduced to the basic techniques of photography and the fundamentals of darkrooms.
She pursued her studies at the Université de Moncton and Concordia University in Montreal, from which she obtained a bachelor’s degree in visual arts in 1986. She became a still photographer, a fascinating profession that allowed her to hone her skills in the film and television industry.
After 22 years of living in Montreal, Julie D’Amour-Léger returned to Acadie in 2007. From her small house overlooking Caraquet Bay, she immerses herself in the breath and light of the maritime landscape that she missed dearly. The landscapes, the birds, and the animals that she photographs with gratitude have become her preferred subjects. She created two exhibitions from her home: De ma fenêtre (2015) and Corneilles : NOIR SUR BLANC (2017). The Club plein air de Caraquet, where she fell in love with the fox cubs, provided the setting for Renardises (2016). Since 2020, she has been photographing Le monde des pêches, which will be the subject of her next exhibition, planned for 2023, and of an art book.
In conjunction with her professional activities, Julie D’Amour-Léger pursues various photography projects in connection with her immediate surroundings. Her practice favours the local, and she finds inspiration in the authentic beauty of the landscape and the living beings around her. Her images are poetic and show her true attachment to the nature of this part of the country, which she loves greatly and has always carried within her.
This three-week creative period will allow me to work on developing my photo book on fisheries. Over the course of three years, from 2020 to 2022, I went fishing 28 times and photographed 17 different fisheries practised by men and women of the Acadian Peninsula. These unforgettable experiences led me from Caraquet Bay to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, from the dune at Maisonnette to the Atlantic Ocean. During my expeditions, I accumulated thousands of photos – a true treasure trove! I want to make the most of my time as artist-as-residence to select the photos and write the texts for the book Le monde des pêches that I hope to produce. I will also be available to lead visits of my exhibition Crows - Black on White, which is showing at the Gallery, for any interested visitors.
Thank you to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery for granting me this artist residency and to ArtsNB for two grants, in 2021 and 2022, for artist residencies onboard fishing vessels.
Julie D’Amour-Léger
Studio Hours
Tuesday: 10AM to 1PM - 2:30PM to 4:30PM
Wednesday: 10AM to 1PM - 2:30PM to 4:30PM
Thursday: 10AM to 1PM - 2:30PM to 4:30PM - 6PM to 8:30PM
Friday: 2PM to 4:30PM
Saturday: 1:30PM to 4:30PM
Sunday: 1:30PM to 4:30PM