Mario Bartolini Exhibit returns with new family activity

The Mario Bartolini Exhibit is returning with a new collection of art from May 15-30.

After the success of the 10th anniversary retrospective of the late Mario Bartolini’s (1930-2015) sculptures, Galerie Art Mûr on St-Hubert Street is hosting a new edition of “BARTOlini RETROspective” featuring a series of never-before-displayed works by the late Montreal artist.

“We did the first show that went so well, and he’s got so many pieces that we are doing the second one,” said Dino Bartolini, Mario’s son.

The focus this time around is on terracotta and tile works, along with select metal sculptures and wood sculptures. Kids will have the chance to paint mini 3D copies of his sculptures on May 23 and 30.

The first exhibition, in the fall of 2025, focused on large and small-scale metal sculptures and almost sold out. Bartolini’s son Dino organized the 2025 show, keeping a commitment he made before his father passed away following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.

“He didn’t like the art world. He didn’t like the bargaining, what we say in French, ‘la marchandisation de l’art.’ He didn’t like that at all. And at one point in the very dark mood, he said, ‘You know what, Dino? When I die, burn everything. Burn, destroy everything.’

“And years passed and at one point we noticed that he was losing it, because my dad died of Alzheimer’s. Just before he got so confused, I tried my luck again. I said, ‘Dad, you know what? You told me to destroy everything when you go and pass away. Can I do one show before?’ He said, ‘Yeah, OK, you can do a show. Wait 10 years and then it’s all yours.’ That’s what happened. We never asked again. So, we don’t know why he said 10 years.”

Despite creating art throughout his life, Mario Bartolini never pursued it as a career. He was a teacher at the École des Beaux-Arts de Montréal for many years while raising his four children.

He showed his works in New York and Paris at various outlets, including the Musée Rodin; and his work was previously exhibited at Expo ’67.

“He did a few shows at l’Université du Québec à Montréal where he was teaching, because he had access to the gallery, but not up to par with what he was doing,” Dino said. “I don’t know, we didn’t really understand that bit. It was very secret because most of the pieces we never saw. My dad was really active because it takes time to do all of these things and he wouldn’t show it to us either. So it’s like, it’s a treasure hunt.”

Disdaining the commercial side of the art world, Bartolini refused to get an agent or sell his work to private buyers. Most of his creations simply remained in his basement.

“The idea behind this is for the art to be shown,” Dino explained. “His creativity was so great. I know it’s my dad, but I’m amazed. He did that. Mario Bartolini did that. Yes, he did.”