A pioneering female sculptor who broke ground in a male-dominated field, creating iconic public art installations that continue to inspire and delight audiences.
Sylvia Daoust is renowned as one of the first female sculptors in Quebec, leaving an indelible mark on the world of art with her remarkable portraits and revitalization of traditional liturgical art. Her exceptional work has been exhibited in esteemed institutions across the United States, Italy, and Canada, earning her numerous prestigious awards and accolades.
Born on May 24, 1902, in Montreal, Quebec, Daoust was the eldest of seven children. Her artistic inclinations were evident from an early age, as she devoted herself to drawing, sketching, painting, and sculpting clay figurines. The Sisters of St. Anne recognized her talent and encouraged her to enroll at the École des Beaux-Arts de Québec.
Daoust's educational journey took her to the Conseil des arts et manufactures, where she studied under renowned instructors such as Joseph Francher, Joseph Saint-Charles, and John Young Johnstone. In 1923, she enrolled in the École des beaux-arts, graduating with a specialized teaching degree in drawing in 1927. Her exceptional talent earned her the Lord Willingdon Competition's first-place prize in sculpture in 1929, as well as a scholarship to study in France.
During her time in France, Daoust studied under the tutelage of Henri Charlier, refining her craft and broadening her artistic horizons. Upon her return to Canada in 1930, she embarked on a distinguished teaching career, instructing in drawing, anatomy, modeling, and sculpting at the École des Beaux-Arts in Québec City until 1943. Daoust later moved to Montreal, where she became a professor of wood and stone sculpting at the Montreal School of Fine Arts, a position she held until 1968.
Daoust's most significant contribution to the art world lies in her revitalization of traditional liturgical art. As one of the original members of Le Retable d'Art Sacré, a group dedicated to transforming the state of Roman Catholic churches in French Canada, she played a pivotal role in reinvigorating this sacred art form. Her remarkable portrait sculptures and liturgical works have been exhibited in numerous Catholic institutions, earning her widespread recognition and acclaim.
Throughout her illustrious career, Daoust received numerous awards and honors for her outstanding work. Her contributions to the world of art were formally recognized when she was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (CM) in 1993 and a Chevalier of the Ordre national du Québec (CQ) in 1999. Daoust was also elected a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA) in 1943.
Sylvia Daoust's remarkable life and career have left an indelible mark on the world of art. Her pioneering work in sculpting and liturgical art has inspired generations of artists, and her contributions to the cultural heritage of Quebec and Canada remain unparalleled. As a trailblazing female artist, Daoust's legacy serves as a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and artistic passion.
Daoust passed away on July 19, 2004, at the age of 102, leaving behind a rich cultural heritage and a body of work that continues to inspire and uplift. She was laid to rest in the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery in Montreal, her remarkable life and legacy forever etched in the annals of Canadian art history.
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