Louise Genest

La Coquille, France

Bernard Lévy, La Nuit des Interrogations, 2001

Millimeter binding with half-tanned vellum and patinated metal leaves paper by the binder; edges gilt and colored; wrapped paper endbands. 20.5 x 14 x 1.5 centimeters. Created 2002.

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Louise Genest was born in Montreal, and after finishing her university studies, traveled to Paris where her passion for bookbinding was born. She returned to Montreal and pursued her study of design bookbinding for four years with Monique Lallier, then followed with an apprenticeship in rare books and manuscripts conservation with Carolyn Horton for two years in New York. She opened her own bindery in Montreal and founded l’Association des Relieurs du Québec, of which she was president for three years. She furthered her study, attending intensive course and workshops in both North America and Europe. She is regularly invited to exhibit and lecture throughout the world. Her work and reputation won her the title of master bookbinder from the international German Meister der Einbandkunst. She has won numerous prizes, including the Grand Prix des Métiers d’dart du Québec, the Design Award from the Canadian Bookbinder and Book Artists’ Guild and the prestigious Saidye Bronfman Award. Her work is held in institutional and private collections around the world. She was an administrator for the Conseil des métiers d’art du Québec for ten years, and was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.