Gilles Côté

Gilles Côté, Artist Short C.V.


Through the medium of his brushes, Gilles Côté, a native of the Gaspé Peninsula, invites observers throughout the world to discover the beauty of the scenery that surrounds him. Filtered through perceived emotions, the atmospheres he creates reveal the incomparable natural world of the Gaspé.

Formal training

While yet very young, Gilles Côté demonstrated a strong interest for drawing. His talents quickly led him to caricature, that art of the synthetic portrait that encourages its adepts to explore and gain a profound understanding of the human spirit. A self-taught artist, he constantly seeks the colours and shapes that enable him to portray atmospheres that radiate warmth, and even tenderness.

Artistic approach

“The essence of my artistic endeavour is to represent human nature in its spatial environment. I seek, through a balance of emotion and intellect, to capture the energy of forms and colours, juxtaposing shadow and light to create a vibrant atmosphere.”

“It is said that only love is real. I agree, and would even say that, as a consequence, all that is done with love is true. One cannot create, whatever one’s task, if love is absent. We often equate a person who excels at his work with an artist; this is due to the simple fact that the artist loves what he does and he does it passionately. Therefore art, creation, is something which one does with passion, with one’s heart.



The beauty of places and situations, the people one meets: all have an impact on what one creates. Reading, theatre, the cinema, a song, anything can influence one’s work in the sense that the resulting emotion affects all five senses...and it is through one’s own emotional experiences that a unique pictural language flows. Painting, as a practice, is a form of communication in which words are unnecessary.”
When observing Gilles Côté’s canvasses, one can almost hear the musical rhythm of the waves, feel the sensual caress of the wind, one’s gaze takes in a multitude of warm hues that capture the observer’s attention. But first, there is this figure in the foreground (depicted only above the waist or chest) this anonymous, intriguing personage who never leaves the viewer indifferent.

Gilles Côté has discovered a unique, personal way to let his characters and scenery speak, each expressing deep emotions to the attentive observer in a singular manner. Through his many works, he is able to share all the poetry of artistic freedom, inviting you to look a little longer and little more closely at life and the world around you.

Gilles is presently turning his talents towards monumental sculptures depicting faces...His projects include European shows... where the originality and sincerity of his works are sure to enchant...

After twenty five years of unstinting effort, shows in Quebec, Ontario, the United States, France and Brazil, and the acknowledgement from the Canadian public manifested by companies, galleries and private collectors, today, Gilles Côté is able to live by his brush.

Expositions – Solo – Exhibitions
2014-23 Galerie Côté, Percé. QC
2012-13 Galerie St-Paul, Quebec. QC
2011 galerie M, Montreal, QC
2011 Exposition au 4371 Christophe Colomb, Mtl, QC
2010-11-12 Yod art gallery, Sherbrooke, QC
2009 Lucien Barriere Casino, Biarritz. France
2009 Club de golf Bassasury, Bayonne. France
2009 Musée de la Gaspésie, Gaspé, QC
2008-06 Exposition au 4371 Christophe Colomb, Mtl, QC
2005 Expo a Oakville, ON.
2003 Galerie d'Art 1040 Art Gallery, Montréal, QC
2002 Galerie d'Art du Vieux-Lévis, Lévis, QC
2001 Galerie d'Art 1040 Art Gallery, Montréal, QC
2000 Galerie d'Art Marba Art Gallery, Frédéricton, NB
1998 Galerie d'Art du Tracel Art Gallery, Québec, QC
1997 Studio de Film Wallace Film Studio, Toronto, ON
1995 Galerie Bennett Gallery, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
1995 Ambassade Canadienne, Sao Paulo, Brazil
1993 Galerie Beaux-Art Gallery, Toronto, ON
1990 Centre national d'Exposition, Jonquière, QC
1988.84 Musée de Gaspé Museum, Gaspé, QC
1987 Galerie Anima-G Gallery, Québec, QC
1984 Musée de Sept-Iles Museum, Sept-Iles,

Expositions – Groupe – Exhibitions
2020 Galerie Byward market, Ottawa. ON
2019 Galerie L’Espace Contemporain, QC
2019 Artfest at the Distillery, Totonto. ON
2018 Artfest Kingston. ON
2015-16 Andrée Laroche art galery, Ste-Foy, QC
2014 Galerie d'Art 1040 Art, Montréal, QC
2011 Toronto Artexpo, T oronto, ON
2009-12 Galery Cote, Perce, QC
2007-08 Toronto Artexpo, T oronto, ON

2005 Symposium des rivières, Sherbrooke, QC
2002-05 Rothesay Netherwood School, Rothesay, NB
2002 Rencontre XII, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
2001 Artexpo NY Artexpo, New York, NY
1999 Rencontre IX, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
99.98.97.96 Le centre Hummingbird Centre, Toronto, ON
1996 Artexpo NY Artexpo, New York, NY
1995.94 Toronto outdoor art exhibition, Toronto, ON
1992 Expo du printemps, Galerie Beaux-Art, Toronto, ON
1988 Parcs Canada Parks, Québec, QC