Bio

Born in the South of France, Éric Maillet entered the École des métiers in St-Pons de Thornières in 1972. During four years, he learned how to work with various metals. He soon developed a passion for the sheer energy of the forge and learned how to twist and turn even the hardest metals into the most unusual shapes.

Upon obtaining his diploma in ornamental metal work, in 1977, Éric Maillet set his sights on another passion: speleology and archaeology. He took part in several archaeological digs of prehistoric and Gallo-roman sites in Andalusia and in the Languedoc region. This encounter with artists from the past had a tremendous influence on his art.

A few years later, Éric travelled to Canada for the first time and visited the Mastheuiash reserve near Lac St-Jean where he worked with some of the young Innus from the village. This experience in traditions and history made a lasting impression on the artist and marked the beginning of a long and close friendship with the Innu people. Additionally, his encounters with painters such as Diane Robertson and Marc Siméon have had a considerable influence on his art.

Pleased with what he saw during his first visit to Quebec, Éric Maillet soon decides to make Quebec his home and settles in Bergeronnes. He builds his first workshop and begins producing utility and decorative pieces. Several designers who are eager to work with him in creating original and unique pieces soon notice his pieces.

In 2003, he decides to make a considerable investment into the construction of a better, more functional forge with sufficient space to build larger pieces made from materials harvested from the sea and from recycled metal.  A true ironsmith, he does not hesitate to integrate stone, driftwood, whale bone, bronze and copper into his creations.

In 2003, he collaborates with Chilean artist Talo who has received the UNESCO Picasso Medal for his lifetime achievement.  Together, they create a sculpture (which is exposed in front of the Hôtel Tadoussac) for the Club international des plus belles baies du monde. Through this experience, he pursues his investigation of other metals and techniques to develop his own unique artistic identity.  It is around this time he is selected to create the trophies to be presented as excellence awards by the Conseil régional de la culture de la Côte-Nord.

Éric Maillet is also selected to be one of four artists from different regions in the province of Quebec to design and create the “Rosaire Corbin” trophy for Parks Canada In 2004, he decides to devote all his time and energy to his art and begins giving sculpting classes in schools in the Côte-Nord region.  The children are thrilled with the experience, and the teacher is none too happy to reunite with his inner child, a voice that is too often lacking in adults. From June 22 to September 30, 2005, Éric Maillet presents his exhibit “Traces de cultures” at the Musée régional de la Côte-Nord, attracting over 1,200 visitors, many of whom are very enthusiastic with what they saw.

In March of the following year, he receives funding from the Conseil des arts et des Lettres and the Fonds régional pour la Côte-Nord to create and install a sculpture representing the numerous exchanges and encounters that take place between various cultures in a port city.  A documentary of the project is also made in collaboration with the Musée régional de la Côte-Nord and Télé-Québec.
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Several sculptors such as Pable Gargallo, Giacometti and Jean Cardot have inspired the blacksmith’s work. Pablo Gargallo stands out and is the object of much admiration from Éric Maillet, mainly inspired by the materials and techniques used by Gargallo. Gargallo created his sculptures in the forge. Miro and Modigliani inspire the artist to add a touch of colour to his pieces.


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