Jacques Léveillé was born in Montreal. Since 2018, he lives and works in Esterel, inthe inspiring Laurentians region. Elected in 2003, Léveillé became a member of the prestigious Royal Canadian Academy. Having mastered European oil painting techniques, Léveillé combines a traditional technique with a contemporary language, heir to the Surrealist Movement. Art critics have compared the mastery of his technique to that of Dutch masters of the 17" Century, particularly Vermeer. As for Gerard Xuriguera, prominent historian and art critic, he prefers to use "Réalisme fantastique"to describe Léveillé's work :... « while focused reality is faithfully rendered, an unusual element will subvert one's gaze, leading it through forbidden paths. Here, a body levitates, there, a figure is sketched in back lighting... further, a naiad rises from the ocean, on the horizon, a white sheet floats. Neutrality, imperative to the hyperrealist movement, is absent in Léveillé's works. On the contrary, a strong emotional impulse underlies each and every composition. »For a few decades, Léveillé's work was featured in important exhibitions, mostly solos.His oil paintings can be seen in private and public collections.Perhaps the most stunning, "Les Trois Temps", is exhibited permanently in the majestic hall of the McGill Tower, in downtown Montreal. When scrutinizing this impressive polyptych (13'x 13.5"), one can fully understand Xuriguera's words: ... « we are not in front of stricto-sensu documents: every detail rendered meticulously, yet not aseptic, we are contemplating fascinating images, original concepts that lure us deep into Léveillé's dreams. » IAF, Honorary Member, 2023Estérel Civic Hall, solo exhibition, Ca 2020The Kingston Prize, « The fire station», Kingston, On. Ca2017Toronto International Art Fair, Odon Gagner Contemporary Arts, Annual show 2008-2012« Mémoires vives », Arts Festival, Mascouche, Ca 2013« Chaman and Dream», Odon Wagner Contemporary Arts, Solo show, Toronto, On, 2010Artist of the year, featured with the Cancer Society of Quebec, Ca 2007Honorary Member, IAF, Institute of Figurative Arts, Quebec,Ca. 2005Grand Prize, 37" National Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists, Ca 2004Signature Member RCA, Royal Canadian Academy, Ottawa, Ca. 2003Museum of Fine Arts of Montreal, RCA members show, Ca2003Berensen Gallery Contemporary Arts, Montreal, Ca 2002Prince Arthur Fine Arts, Toronto, 2000« Passion » Solo, Gallery of Contemporary arts, Canadian Embassy, Tokyo, Japan 1999National Arts Club, GrandGallery, New York, PSA International Exhibition, 1997, '94,Maison de la culture Mercier, Montreal, Ca 1995Palais Montcalm, Quebec City, Ca 1999-97 -96« La Figuration Critique », The Grand Palais, Paris, France1992« Passages », Michael Fletcher Contemporary Art, Solo show, Soho New York 1989Maison de la culture, la Petite Patrie, Montreal, Ca 1988Best Audio-visual document, Gouv. du Québec, Chicago Film Festival Awards, Chicago, III. 1974