Canadian artist Jacques Barbeau was born in St-Raphael, near Lévis, Quebec in 1934. After graduating from the "École des Beaux-Arts de Québec" in 1956, Barbeau went on to study drawing as well as wood, stone and metal sculpture. He completed his training in Europe and the United States.
In 1971, he moved to Sherbrooke, Quebec and was heavily involved in the local community. He became an art teacher at the "College d’enseignement général et professionnel de Sherbrooke" and was a founding member of the "Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke". Barbeau was honoured several times notably when he received the award for excellence in the “Career” category at the first "Gala des Prix d’excellence de la ville de Sherbrooke", held in 1989.
Barbeau can be considered a storytelling artist in the sense that he often chooses his subjects from public debates, private events and general daily life. His unique portrayal of human experience, whether religious or secular, encapsulates the humour, tenderness and even sarcasm of everyday life.
