Archambault Daniel

Extract from the Standard-Freeholder
By Cheryl Brink
February 24TH, 2011

Daniel Archambault has dug graves, repaired cars, worked in the arctic, designed a catalytic converter for General Motors and created dozens of works of art along the way.
Years ago, he won the world colour editorial award; in February, he took home an honourable mention at the Cornwall Regional Art Gallery’s juried exhibit.
Archambault, a Cornwall-area native now living near Lancaster, said he has been pursuing his artistic passions since he was a teenager.
“The first commission I ever got I was 15 - I did a church mural” he said.
Archambault studied art in several post-secondary schools, taking time out to earn a degree in environmental studies and mechanic’s certification. He said everything he’s done has been a form of art - from working on vehicles to drawing endangered animals.
“Cars, clothes, buildings, jewelry, kitchen cabinets . . . everything is art,” he said. “Just about everything has art in it.”
Though Archambault has held a wide variety of jobs, he’s also spent a fair share of time in the creative industry, working for ad agencies and publishing houses, studios and a TV station.
His favourite position: digging graves.
“It put you in touch with reality,” he said with a chuckle.
Now, Archambault teaches part-time at St. Lawrence College and spends the rest of his semi-retirement challenging himself to try new things.
His multimedia sculpture that won a CRAG award was a first. The work, cleverly title Can You Think Out of the Box, includes a man’s image on a tin can, which is coming out of a cardboard box Archambault made.
“I created a sculpture because I rarely do that sort of thing,” he said.
He was surprised with the award, and also grateful for the recognition. But instead of accepting the accolades himself, he sent his model, Michael Cartwright, up for the plaque. “I was very pleased that the model that posed for me for the artwork was with me;’ he said. “It’s good to give credit to those who help you.’
That done, Archambault has taken on a new challenge: a huge portrait of a young boy. He said he’s also interested in taking his work into politics, creating art with local politicians and their issues.
“When they’re a part of artwork, the world elevates the politician to an artistic level;’ he said. “Locally would be really fun.”
In the meantime, Archambault continues to see art in everything from appliances and car parts to nature and canvases.