Pierre Corriveau, hand carved wood bird with tin can wings. Unsigned**, 10x7x7 in. 1960s Québec.
Pierre Corriveau (1889-1980) was a carver and maker of every sort of animal, many with mechanical devices (whirli-gigs and others); using ‘as found’ materials and colors. Originally, Pierre Corriveau filled his yard with his creations, and kept his colors fresh and bright by over-painting them. Various family members helped out with colors and attaching things. His yard was a wonder to see.
Later in his life, with challenged vision, he was helped by his son Armand Corriveau (1925-2011), who experienced the same vision problems, and today Pierre Corriveau’s Grandson Robert (1950- ) carries on the artistic tradition. Pierre Corriveau used scrap wood and metal in most of his work; with branches from sapling trees for legs and folded and shaped tin (from cans etc.) for the ears of animals and the wings of birds. He preferred marbles for the eyes of many of his animals and birds. Pierre Corriveau was the cover artist of ‘Les Patenteux du Quebec’ and there is an extensive article about him and his work in the book. ** I have never seen a work signed by Pierre Corriveau. —Lyle Elder, folk art collector.
