On the walls: the week in fine arts

Nick Bradshaw poster for Marvel Comics.

Sous les Projecteurs is a group show displaying work by six contenders for Ayot-Comtois prizes. The nominees are a who’s-who of Montreal’s art scene, including Mathieu Beauséjour, Yannick Desranleau and Chloe Lum (Seripop), Jacynthe Carrier, Guillaume La Brie, Jean-Pierre Gauthier and Stéphane La Rue. The exhibit remains on display through Jan. 10, and prizewinners will be announced at a gala Dec. 12. Vernissage tonight, Dec. 4, Maison de la Culture Frontenac (2550 Ontario E.), 6 p.m.

The MAC is offering a great chance to arm yourself with gifts for all the art lovers in your life at their annual book sale. For two days only, Dec. 4 and 5, the gallery’s gift shop will be selling off exhibit catalogs, artist profiles and other in-house publications for just $2, cash only. Check out the full list of titles on offer here. Musée d’art contemporain (185 Ste-Catherine W.), 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The artists participating at Mini-Forêt POP des Fêtes will be on hand to showcase and sell their work. Additionally, complimentary snacks and warm holiday drinks will be available for consumption, and you can check out their dreamy space decked out with Christmas ornaments to create a 30s Christmas vibe on the terrace of Rodos (5583 du Parc). Vernissage Dec. 5 Espace Pop (5587 du Parc), 5 – 8 p.m.

Artist Claude Lépine’s latest collection Les enfants ce n’est pas abstraitt will be on display at Galerie Ame-Art and runs through Dec. 9. Half of all proceeds from each painting sold benefit La fondation du docteur Julien, a pediatric medical charity. Dec. 5, Galerie Ame-Art (5345 du Parc), 6 p.m.

Chard Chénier and Crystal Racine join forces to bring forth the Binary Star Exhibit. The artists explain that the name comes from “two stars orbiting around a common centre of mass.” These two painters embark upon a common trajectory and illustrate their shared values on a vast array of subjects from humanism to cosmology. Vernissage Dec. 6, Galerie Crystal Racine (1701 Gilford), 5 – 8:30 p.m.

Eastern Bloc’s artist-in-residency Kelly Jaclynn Andres presents the work produced during her residency, entitled The Temporary Archive for Ambiguous Architectures. The interdisciplinary work explores the ties between man-made and natural life, using found objects to let exhibit participants the world around themselves. Dec. 7 – 9, Eastern Bloc (7240 Clark).

Fault Lines touches on issues of sovereignty and the self, calling on the work of international luminaries from radical political philosophy including Bertold Brecht, Maurizio Lazzarato and Sophie Castonguay to explore social issues. The exhibition is the result of a long-term research project taken on by SBC Gallery, including audio, video and just a series of workshops and talks pertaining to the themes of governance in contemporary society. Vernissage Dec. 6, SBC Gallery (Belgo Building, 372 Ste-Catherine W., #507), 7 – 9 p.m.

Multi-disciplinary artist Isa Pardi brings us Peaches and Others, an exploration of punk rock’s powerful women and a celebration of their overall badassness. You’re in for a real treat, too, as Gashrat and Dead Wife will also be playing live. Vernissage Dec. 7, RATS 9 (Belgo Building, 372 Ste-Catherine W., #530), 7 p.m.

Those jonesing for a little post-Comic-Con nerdout are in luck. This weekend there will be a Mini Comic-Con, with X-Men artist Nick Bradshaw and Assassin’s Creed actor Shawn Baichoo on hand, plus the usual visual banquet of costumes, comics, card contests and so on. Dec. 8, Palais des congrès de Montréal (101 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle), 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., $5 ■

By Kristen Theodore and Emily Raine