Mario Bartolini Retrospective Returns With New Works

Galerie Art Mûr on rue St-Hubert is bringing back the Mario Bartolini Retrospective, this time focusing on works that haven't been seen before. The late Montreal sculptor (1930–2015) created some of the city's most distinctive public and private sculptures, and this exhibition digs deeper into the terracotta and tile works that defined his practice.

The original 10th anniversary retrospective drew strong crowds and introduced new audiences to Bartolini's distinctive style—figurative, expressive, deeply rooted in craft. He was the kind of artist who understood that sculpture is as much about material as it is about form. His terracotta pieces have a warmth and tactility that marble and bronze can't match.

This edition runs May 15 to May 30, and the gallery has added a family activity component. Kids can paint mini 3-D copies of Bartolini's sculptures on May 23 and May 30. It's a clever way to introduce younger Montrealers to his work while keeping the exhibition accessible and alive.

St-Hubert's gallery scene has quietly become one of the city's best-kept cultural addresses. This retrospective is worth the trip.