Success Story Spotlight: Martine Chartrand
Martine Chartrand is a celebrated visual artist and filmmaker known for her mastery of animated painting on glass and for the deep humanity that shines through her work.
Born in the 1960s and adopted by a Quebec family, she grew up in Montreal as the only Black child in her neighborhood. This experience sparked an early search for identity that led her to explore African, Caribbean, and Indigenous cultures. In adulthood, she discovered her Haitian and Quebec roots and learned Creole to reconnect with her heritage.
Martine has been passionate about drawing and painting since childhood. Inspired by artists such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Riopelle, and Jean Michel Basquiat, she studied Visual Arts at Concordia University and later earned a certificate in art education at UQAM. Her path shifted toward animation when friends and mentors recognized her talent and encouraged her to explore the medium.
Her career took off at the National Film Board of Canada, where she created her first professional animated film, TV Tango. Determined to master the demanding technique of painting on glass, she studied Russian for four years and traveled to Russia to learn directly from master animator Alexandre Petrov.
Martine’s films, including Ame Noire and MacPherson, are internationally acclaimed. Each project requires more than ten thousand hand‑painted images, filmed one by one. Ame Noire, which traces the history of Black people in Canada, took seven years to complete and won twenty‑three international awards, including the Golden Bear in Berlin.
MacPherson, inspired by a song by Felix Leclerc, earned major awards at the Montreal World Film Festival and pays tribute to Frank Randolph Macpherson and the contributions of Black communities to Quebec’s history.
Her work is driven by a desire to foster understanding, empathy, and connection. She draws inspiration from her childhood memories, her identity journey, and her commitment to social justice. Music also plays a central role in her creative process, influenced by artists such as Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Miriam Makeba, Jacques Brel, and Felix Leclerc.
Beyond her films, Martine is dedicated to youth. She regularly presents her work and teaches painting‑on‑glass workshops in countries such as South Korea, Brazil, Italy, France, and Cuba. Having experienced bullying as a child, she uses art to encourage young people to express themselves, embrace their culture, and believe in their potential.
Martine Chartrand’s journey is a powerful example of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride. Through her art, she brings people together, challenges barriers, and celebrates the beauty of human diversity.
