Choreographer Jean-Pierre Perreault Dies: "An Exceptional Choreographer whose Passion for Excellence has left an Indelible Mark on Canadian Art and Culture"
OTTAWA, December 6, 2002 -- "History will, along with us, bear witness to the immense artistic legacy left by Jean-Pierre Perreault," said Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, following the news of the great choreographer's death."Mr. Perreault was an exceptional choreographer and, above all, a multi-talented artist -- capable of infusing a unique and personal dimension into dance and also into other artforms, such as painting and drawing," said Minister Copps. "Inspired by his own wide-ranging personal vision, Jean-Pierre Perreault has left an indelible mark on Canadian art and culture through his passion for excellence -- a quality that will long remain with us."
Jean-Pierre Perreault received the Governor General's Prize for the Performing Arts, in 2002, and the Ontario Arts Council's Jean A. Chalmers Prize for his entire body of work, in 1996. He traveled across Canada, and spent time at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and at the National Ballet in Toronto to present his work and train new dancers. His choreography has been performed on the world's great stages, and Joe, his best-known piece, received outstanding international acclaim. Mr. Perreault was interested in a variety of forms of expression, particularly architecture and the Oriental arts. In 1984, he established the Jean-Pierre Perreault Foundation, whose recent creation, L'Exil-L'Oubli, received the Grand Prize for Excellence from the Conseil des Arts de la Communauté Urbaine de Montréal. In 2001, he celebrated the opening of Espace Chorégraphique, a unique choreographic production centre in Quebec.
"When an artist of this calibre dies, it is our duty to ensure that he is remembered and that his work is preserved and presented to future generations," said Minister Copps. "Jean- Pierre Perreault trained new generations of Canadian dancers and choreographers. Thanks to them and to the many artists who worked with Mr. Perreault, Canadians will long be able to appreciate his exceptional contribution to the world of dance in Canada and abroad. Along with innumerable other Canadians, I will always be thankful."
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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