André Desjardins was born in Hauterive, Canada, in 1964. His fascination with art, history and geography goes back to early childhood when he would spend hours upon hours drawing, tinkering about, building, creating. Another favoured activity was leafing through atlases and encyclopaedias of the family’s extensive library. He was constantly on the lookout for anything new to feed his boundless curiosity: books, music, magazines, comics. At twelve years old, his young world came crashing down with the sudden loss of his father. Coping with the family grief as best he could, he found solace in the peaceful tranquility of the Magog family’s large basement. This haven housed his very first large-scale creation: a miniature city. Four years from start to finish: he was now sixteen. Nothing was missing: houses, stores, schools, parks, a port, a railroad. Every building had electricity; the train meandered through the town and its surrounding valleys. His teenage mind already had an exceptional grasp of spacial organization.

At eighteen, Desjardins left the family home in the country and headed for the big city. He studied graphic design at the University of Québec in Montreal. He devoted his spare time to painting, technical and artistic drawing, as well as designing and building furniture for his first apartment. He also explored interior design and architecture. Each discipline fuelling his creativity.

After completing his Bachelor’s Degree in 1988, he opened his own marketing firm and poured his energy and talent into building a successful business. A few years later he was at the head of a very lucrative enterprise with an enviable reputation and many employees; a dream come true. But after fourteen years of hard work, his heart was not in it anymore. Desjardins decided to sell the firm, leaving behind the world of marketing to concentrate on his true passion: manual work.

This major turning point coincides with his meeting Hélène Bélanger-Martin, the young woman who would become his muse. With a background in gallery management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History, she looked at Desjardins’ artwork with knowledgeable interest. Her involvement, observations and questionings gave the artist the impulse to reinvent his work, to search, to re-examine, to dive deeper… From that moment on, creation became his main occupation. His only preoccupation. He painted daily. A first exhibition was held at the Monument National, in Montreal. Visitors were captivated by the serene and peaceful mood of his paintings, their sacred and spiritual qualities. The demand for his works and the list of collectors increased steadily year after year. His works were included in numerous prestigious public and private collections. Desjardins was now dreaming of making a name for himself in the United States.

In 2008, he presented his works at ArtExpo New York where the response exceeded his expectations. Not only did he sell 26 paintings, he was also approached by Masterpiece Publishing, a major name in the US fine arts industry. The agency’s reputation is based on the quality of its artists as well as the great number of galleries carrying their works. Daniel Winn, its founder and CEO, has been prominently instrumental in Desjardins’ rise to notoriety. His works are now on exhibit in many galleries throughout the United States and are part of numerous private collections.

The sculptural aspect presented in Desjardins’ two-dimensional work naturally led him to explore sculpture. His understanding of objects, space, three-dimensionality, and human anatomy can now fully express itself through this new medium. Quickly, Canadian and American collectors turned their attention to his bronze sculptures.

For more than 25 years, Desjardins has dedicated his life to art. His bold and unconventional journey reflects a great strength of character and an insatiable desire to create and touch the material. He creates characters in a state of fulfillment. Through his textures and the fragility of his forms, his works invite a pause, a moment of serenity that contrasts with the chaos of the world. His creations, imbued with gentleness, offer a soothing respite from the many acts of violence surrounding us.

In 2021, Desjardins created a monumental work that marked a turning point in his career. The sculpture “LIBRE,” measuring 12 feet tall and representing a kneeling figure in an open posture, was installed on the shores of Lake Memphrémagog. This bronze colossus captures the light and stands as a symbol of well-being and serenity. The creation process of this work was beautifully documented in the film “Libre,” which had its world premiere at the 40th edition of the prestigious International Film Festival on Art.

In 2024, he continued this trajectory with another bold installation: a structure over 15 feet tall, with 26 small climbers scaling a rocky wall. This fascinating work, installed at the Marais de la Rivière-aux-Cerises in Magog, evokes collective effort, mutual aid, and mobilization in relation to climate change. Through this artistic gesture, Desjardins invites reflection on the impact of human actions and the need to rise together to overcome current challenges.

To date, his portfolio includes several hundred paintings and about sixty bronze sculptures. His works are displayed in galleries across Canada and the United States and are part of numerous public and private collections.

Other major projects are currently under development, bearing the artist’s signature and promising new immersive experiences for the public.