Artist’s Statement

The approach to my work has been forged by disparate elements. A childhood surrounded by watches, clocks and their mechanisms I owe to my father and grand-father, both clockmakers. I practiced the family tradition for several years before seeking adventure elsewhere: Africa and then Quebec. It was in Montreal that I discovered the artistic possibilities of jewelry and the means of combining them with my watchmaking background. I have created more than 300 “jewelry watches”, each with its own technical challenge.
A touch of homesickness made me realize my attachment to the Mediterranean. The forms of its marine life have stayed with me and inspire my work.
Making a watch can never be improvisational. The formal heritage and techniques of 19th and 20th century clockmakers are essential. I add to this knowledge new forms, based on observations of nature. My project is an amalgam of traditional European clockmaking, Mediterranean inspiration and the open creativity of today’s North American jewelry.
I am currently a teacher at the Ecole de joaillerie de Montreal.

Exhibits
  • 2007, 2006 Palm Beach 3, Florida, international exhibition of art galleries
  • 2007, 2006, 2005, 2002, 1997 SOFA-Chicago, international exhibition of art galleries
  • 1999 Group exhibit, “De main de maître”, Palais des Congrès, Paris, France
  • 1999, 1998 Group exhibit, “Miniatures et petits formats” and “Racines”, Quebec Craft Council, Montreal, Quebec
  • 1997 SOFA-Miami, international exhibition of art galleries
  • 1997 Philadelphia Buyers Market, wholesale craft show
  • 1997 New York Gift Fair, wholesale gift show
  • 1997 Group exhibit on the theme of “Le fleuve”, an animated film by Frédéric Bach, Quebec
  • 1997 Craft Council, Montreal, Quebec
  • 1996 Exhibit of one of a kind watches with the vases of glass artist, Luc Taillon, Quebec Craft Council, Montreal, Quebec

Grants

  • 2006, 2002 Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, travel grant, SOFA-Chicago
    Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, professional artists’ grant – research and creation
  • 2005 Canada Council for the Arts, travel grant, Palm Beach 3, Florida
  • 2000 Canada Council for the Arts, financial assistance for research to professional artists
  • 2001, 1998, 1997 SODEC, financial assistance, Marketing Programme
  • 1996 Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, research and creation grant for a project called Three mechanically fastened watches
  • 1992 Quebec Ministry of Cultural Affairs, grant within the “Aide à la création” programme
Press reviews
  • 1999 Metalsmith Magazine, Fall 1999, article entitled Treasured Timepieces by Francesc Peich, 8 pages with photographs
  • 1997 Le magazine des métiers d’art, vol. 10 number 1, March 1997, Exposition Peich-Taillon, by Suzanne Lambert
  • 1997 SOFA-Chicago, exhibition catalogue
  • 1989 La Presse, Montreal, December 17, 1989, full-page article entitled Horloger un jour, horloger toujours!, by Richard Fortin