is a Franco-Ontarian visual artist of Haitian origin. Her professional experience in facilitating social justice dialogues is reflected in her art that integrates Haitian freedom fighters and empowering archetypes.
A sculptor, DOMINIQUE trained with master sculptor David Clendenning at the Ottawa School of Art (1992). She completed her training with Professor Sarath Chandrajeewa (2009 and 2011) and curated her first solo exhibition entitled Root Identify at Canada House in Colombo, Sri Lanka. From 2012 to 2015, she studied with master sculptor Philippe Faraut in New York State and professor Rosemary Breault-Landry in Gatineau, Quebec with whom she continues to share a studio.
In 2015, the City of Gatineau acquired in its permanent collection the bronze bust of Jean Jacques Dessalines sculpted by Dominique. This work allowed her to distinguish herself and to be selected, in 2017, by the Haitian community of Montreal to create a second public work of art in bronze, Toussaint Louverture, as a gift to the City of Montreal for its 375th anniversary.
DOMINIQUE DENNERY was recognized in 2018 as one of 100 accomplished black Canadian women and won the Regroupement Affaires Femmes’ Diamond Award for lifetime achievement, including community work, professional achievements and artistic accomplishments.
She has been a member of the Board of the Ottawa Art Gallery since June 2019.
Artist Statement
The source of my inspiration goes back to the roots of humanity that surface in archetypes and the collective unconscious. I choose to represent divinities such as Eve, Medusa, Erzulie who have shaped our way of seeing the feminine. My aim is clearly revisionist. I refuse to reduce women to the role of naive or manipulative, seductive or devouring. My feminine archetypes are meant to be strong and inspiring figures for the women of the 21st century.
I also draw my inspiration from my cultural roots: I was born in Haiti and have spent my life in Canada. I had the privilege of being chosen to sculpt the emblematic figures of Toussaint Louverture and Jean-Jacques Dessalines, heroes of Black history and strong symbols of the fight against racism. One of my works, Icare Noir (Black Man rising), is a plea for equality and freedom in the face of rising intolerance.
My favourite material is clay – a mixture of earth and water reminiscent of human flesh. It allows me to shape faces and bodies that celebrate humanity and claims humanism in an increasingly technocratic society.
I mould and then pour my works sometimes in bronze, sometimes in materials such as Aquaresin, Hydrostone or cement.
My mission is to continue to celebrate human potential in all its wonderful diversity.
Curriculum Vitae
Education
University of Ottawa, Masters in French Literature (1983)
Ottawa School of Arts, sculpting and drawing programs with master sculptors David Clendenning and Rosemary Breault-Landry (1992 to 2017)
Sapumal Arts Foundation, Intensive sculpture program with Prof. Sarath Chandrajeewa, Colombo, Sri Lanka (2010-2011)
Summer Sculpture workshop with Master Sculptor Philippe Faraut, New York (2014)
Exhibitions
2017
VISUAL17E, artist, moderator and mentor, Canada’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations and also for Black History Month, Ottawa (Ontario)
Dimensions 2017, St-Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, Ottawa (Ontario)
2016 Dimensions 2016, St-Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, Ottawa (Ontario)
2015 Scvlptvre 2015, Palais des congrès de Montréal, Montreal (Quebec)
2014 TD Canada Trust Then and Now Series: “Merci pour les Souvenirs” (5 artists), exhibition for Black History Month, curator Malika Welsh, Fritzi Gallery, Ottawa (Ontario)
2013
28th Foreign Service Exhibition. Mythical Lion Mythical Lion sculpture chosen as Signature Artwork, Pearson Building, Ottawa (Ontario)
Figureworks, juried exhibition, St-Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, Ottawa
Dimensions 2013, St-Brigid’s Centre for the Arts, Ottawa
2012
Dimensions 2012, juried exhibition, St-Brigid Art Centre for the Arts, Ottawa
Figureworks, juried exhibition, St-Brigid’s Center for the Arts, Ottawa
2011 Root Identify, Solo Exhibition, Canada House, Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Public Art
Toussaint Louverture, Life size bronze bust, Toussaint Louverture park, City of Montreal (Quebec), Commissioned by the Haitian community of Montreal for Montreal 375th Anniversary, Permanent collection of the City of Montreal
Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Life size bronze bust, Maison du Citoyen, Gatineau (Quebec), Commissioned by the Haitian community of Ottawa-Gatineau, Permanent collection of the City of Gatineau.
Collections
Sculptures in private collections in Canada and Sri Lanka
Prizes
100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women (2018)
Mosaïque Interculturelle – for achievements in a non-traditional sector (sculpting) and contribution to diversity in Canada (2017)
Diamond Prize (2017), Regroupement Affaires Femmes, for lifetime achievement including community work, professional achievements and artistic achievements (2017)
Gold Impact Award, International Association of Facilitators (2013)
Work Experience
Board member of Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), appointed in 2019
Creation of Bronze sculptures (clay sculpting, molding, work with foundries), since 1992
Podcast creator and interviewer who features artists and entrepreneurs having surmounted great obstacles to reach their dream and fulfill their full potential.
Founder of Dennery Resources Inc., consulting company in Organizational Development and Human Resources (since 1995). Main role:
Professional facilitator for federal, national and international round tables on issues related to social justice including the elimination of racism and discrimination, gender equality, ending violence against women, the integration of immigrants, the housing crisis and more.
Management Consultant to municipal, provincial and federal agencies
Career coach with executives and employees aspiring to senior positions
Various positions with increasing responsibilities in writing and publishing, public affairs and talent management in the Federal Public Service of Canada (14 years)
Senior Manager, Organizational Development and Human Resources at Coopers and Lybrand (now PriceWaterHouse Coopers)
Memberships
Board Member of the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG), appointed in 2019
National Capital Network of Sculptors (NCNS), since 2012
Bureau du regroupement des artistes visuels de l’Ontario (BRAVO), since 2015
Ottawa Black Arts Kollective (OBAK), since 2016