Geneviève Castrée

Geneviève Elverum (born Gosselin; 9 April 1981 – 9 July 2016), also known as Geneviève Castrée, was a Canadian cartoonist, illustrator, and musician from Quebec. An early admirer of comics, she began creating them at a young age. L'Oie de Cravan published her first book Lait Frappé in 2000. By 2004 she had released three more books—Die Fabrik, Roulatheque Roulatheque Nicolore and Pamplemoussi. The latter is considered her artistic breakthrough. Her 2012 book, Susceptible gave her international success and was followed by a book of poems in French entitled Maman Sauvage in 2015. Her next two works A Bubble and Maman Apprivoisée were both released posthumously. She also recorded a total of eight albums under the name Woelv and Ô Paon (stylized in all caps).

Geneviève Castrée
Castrée performing in 2006
Born
Geneviève Gosselin

(1981-04-09)April 9, 1981
Loretteville, Quebec, Canada
DiedJuly 9, 2016(2016-07-09) (aged 35)
Anacortes, Washington, U.S.
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2003)​
Children1
Musical career
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • vocals
Years active2000–2016
LabelsL'Oie de Cravan
Associated actsPhil Elverum
Websitewww.pwelverumandsun.com

In 2003, Castrée met musician Phil Elverum, with the two marrying the year after. In 2015, she gave birth to her first child. That same year, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, succumbing to the disease the following year. Elverum would go on to release a series of albums centered around her life and death.

Early life
Loretteville, Quebec, where Castrée was born.

Geneviève Gosselin was born in Loretteville, Quebec.[1] She grew up reading Tintin comics from an early age, so much so that she eventually entered, studied for, and won a Tintin competition. She was drawing comics influenced by artists she loved from an early age; these include: Hergé, Renée French, Chester Brown, Julie Doucet, and Argentinian artist Quino. Doucet, in particular had a significant influence on Castrée, influencing her character design and lettering style.[2]

When Gosselin was five her father left her and her mother. At age fifteen Gosselin traveled around Canada and reunited with her absentee father. Although their relationship was strained Gosselin's father did build her a log cabin to live in. In her teens, Gosselin, without formal training, began her cartooning career, publishing minicomics and adopting the name Geneviève Castrée.[2][3]

Gosselin had a troubled relationship with her mother experiencing both a deep connection and feelings of alienation and belittlement. Her relationship with her father was less contentious but also less intimate.[2]

Career
Castrée performing under the name Ô Paon in 2012.

Artistry

In 2000, Montreal publisher L'Oie de Cravan published her first book Lait Frappé,[4] followed by Die Fabrik that same year[5] and Roulatheque Roulatheque Nicolore in 2001, but it was Pamplemoussi in 2004 that served as her artistic breakthrough. The release marked her first major movement to integrate her music and visual art into one cohesive practice.[2]

In 2012, Castrée released Susceptible, a graphic novel that chronicled Castrée's childhood growing up in Quebec through the character of Goglu, Castrée's childhood nickname.[2][6] It was released to critical acclaim and saw her achieve international success; as well as helping her feel "unburdened" by her memories of her mother.[7][8] In 2015, Maman Sauvage a book of poems in French detailing Castrée's feelings as a mother was published by L'oie De Cravan under the name Geneviève Elverum.[2][5]

Following her death, Castrée was included in The Best American Comics 2016, edited by Roz Chast.[2] In 2017 her final book A Bubble was posthumously published by Drawn & Quarterly, having been completed by Portland artist Anders Nilsen and Elverum.[5][8] They were initially wary about finishing it but concluded that it would be better for the book to be in a state of "easy readability rather than burden it with the awkward unfinished look, too cloaked in its context to be functional as a standalone thing."[8] Castrée left instructions for its creation after her death.[8] According to Elverum, she worked on it until her "literal final days".[9]

The book was created for her daughter as a gift, although she did intend for it to be published, and centers around their relationship and Castrée's struggle with cancer which she compares to living in a bubble.[5][7][8] It features little text and is told via an image per page.[7] It concludes with an afterword by Elverum.[7] Elverum noted that its creation was Castrée's way of coping.[10]

A book of poems entitled Maman Apprivoisée was released in 2018.[10] It consists of 44 poems both written in French and English.[10] It deals with her feelings surrounding her giving birth in 2015, and being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.[10] Elverum has said that he is putting together a book of poems by her as well as a monograph of her illustrations.[10]

Musical career
Hotel2Tango, the Montreal studio where Castrée recorded the Ô Paon album Courses.

A self-taught musician, Castrée's first release was an accompanying LP to her 2004 book Pamplemoussi.[5][11] Recorded and mixed by Thomas Shields and Matt Skillings of the Band Run Chico Run. The two artists provided many of the instruments and backing tracks to the Album, as well as musical training and financing for the recording. The album was recorded and Mixed in Victoria BC. it is lo-fi in nature with Castrée singing in French over "childlike" instruments, such as a keyboard and recorder.[5]

Under the name Woelv she released the 2006 EP, Gris, via Elverum’s label P.W. Elverum & Sun, Ltd. Gris saw her expand on her already established lo-fi sound.[5] Her final release under the Woelv name came in 2007 as Tout Seul Dans La Forêt En Plein Jour, Avez-vous Peur? (translated as Alone in the Forest in the Middle of the Day, Are You Scared?).[5] The album was recorded in Olympia, Washington on K Records with Elverum once again involved.[5][12]

In 2009 she established her own label and began releasing music under the name Ô Paon. In 2010 she released an LP Courses—recorded at Hotel2Tango, Montreal, with Thierry Amar—and in 2015 released Fleuve, recoded with Phil Elverum and featuring Nicholas Krgovich and Lori Goldston.[13]

Castrée's also made appearances on recordings by Mount Eerie, Thanksgiving, Karl Blau,[14] D+[15] and Aidan Baker.[16] Her and Elverum helped create the What The Heck Fest. She released a total of eight albums, under both names.[2]

Themes and style

Castrée's literary work often dealt with topics such as, loyalty, her relationship with her parents and childhood abuse.[6][7] They were typically of a discreet nature, and often eschewed typical comics paneling, alongside using negative space and open page layouts, among other techniques.[2][3] It featured a meticulous, folk art style that made heavy use of vibrant color.[17] Her characters were often expressive, being described as "fragile" and "broken", and were drawn with "wiggly" arms and "bending" legs.[2][17] Themes such as sorrow and elation were present throughout her work in a symbiotic manner.[3]

Personal life

Castrée was married to musician Phil Elverum, who has released music as the Microphones and Mount Eerie.[18] They met in 2003 and married in 2004. They originally intended to move to Canada but after searching for residency decided to remain in the United States, in the town Anacortes, Washington.[19] Castrée was also close friends with musician Lori Goldston and poet Joanne Kyger.[20][21] French was Castrée's dominant language.[3]

She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015, shortly after the birth of her and Elverum's only child.[22] In June 2016, a GoFundMe account was set up by Elverum to assist with their finances.[22] She died on July 9, 2016.[18] Her husband soon posted an update: "She died at home with me and her parents holding her, hopefully having reached some last minute peace".[23]

Legacy

Following her death, Elverum released three albums, A Crow Looked at Me, Now Only and Lost Wisdom pt. 2 chronicling her life and mourning her death.[5] Katherine Paul's debut album Mother of My Children was inspired by Castrée's death, who she described as her "mentor".[24][25] Clyde Petersen was inspired by Castrée's death to release an album he had recorded while briefly housing-sitting for Castrée and Elverum.[26] Other artists paid tribute to her, Anders Nilsen called her "one of my favorite people in the world and one of my favorite artists".[2] Former publisher Chris Oliveros, expressed graditude and pride to have worked with her and published her works.[2]

Bibliography

Books

All titles published as Geneviève Castrée except where indicated:

Exhibitions
  • Orange Sanguine (drawings and dolls), The Crying Room, Vancouver, BC, 2002.[27]
  • Deviate (with Allison Cole), Junc Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 2006.[28]
  • Masques, Book Gallery Popotame, Tokyo, 2007.[29]
  • Geneviève Castrée : Drawings, Adam Baumgold Gallery, New York, NY, 2008.[30]
  • Pia-Anna Borneo Gallery, Lucerne, Switzerland, 28 March - 5 April 2009.[31]
  • Some Shit, THANKY, Richmond, VA, 3–27 April 2009.[31]
  • Débarrassée/Décomplexée, Presspop Gallery/Book Gallery Popotame, Tokyo, 2010.[32]
  • Hivers, Book Gallery Popotame, Tokyo, 2013.[33]
  • Susceptible , Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, Seattle, WA, 2013.[34]
  • Forest of Suicides (group show), Galeria de Muerte, Tokyo, 2013.[35]
  • Drawn & Quarterly 25th (group show), Galerie Martel, Paris, 2016.[36]
  • A Bubble, Editions de la Pasteque, Montreal, QC , 2018.[37]
  • This is Serious (group show), Art Gallery of Hamilton, Hamilton, ON, 2019.[38]

Discography

Woelv releases
  • Pamplemoussi (as Geneviève Castrée), LP and book, L'Oie de Cravan, 2004.
  • Gris, CD-EP/10" record, P.W. Elverum & Sun, 2006.
  • Le niveau de la mer/Bête à Cheval, 7" record, K Records, 2007.
  • Tout Seul Dans La Forêt En Plein Jour, Avez-vous Peur?, CD/LP and book, K Records, 2007

Woelv compilation appearances
  • Le Béluga on Trust In Sirens: What The Heck Fest 2004, CD, Kelp Monthly, 2004.
  • Réconciliation on Flotsam and Jetsam: What The Heck Fest 2005, CD, Kelp Monthly, 2005.
  • Le Déserteur (Boris Vian) on Free The Bird: What The Heck Fest 2006, CD, Kelp Monthly, 2006.

Ô Paon releases
  • a)b)c)d)e), 7" record, TAUS 001 Disques Ô Paon, 2009.
  • Courses, CD/LP, TAUS 003 Disques Ô Paon, 2010.
  • Quatorze/Quanze Ans, 10" record, TAUS 004 Disques Ô Paon, 2013.
  • Fleuve, LP, TAUS 005 Disques Ô Paon, 2015.

Ô Paon compilation appearances
  • Raffinerie on What The Heck Fest 2007, CD, Charming Tedious, 2007
  • Les Cerfs-Volants on The Second Marriage Compilation, CD, Marriage Records, 2007.
  • Le Retour on No Band Is An Island, CD, Knw-Yr-Own, 2008.
  • Nunavik on Songs For The Arctic Ocean, digital, Beat is Murder Records, 2009.
  • Certitude (D+) on What The Heck?, CD, Knw-Yr-Own, 2009.
  • Films Americains on Yeti Ten, CD and magazine, Yeti, 2010.
  • Evolution (alternative version) on Resume vol. 2, digital, 7 e.p., 2011.

Collaborations and appearances

References
  1. Adam Baumgold Gallery. March 20, 2008. Retrieved 2010-04-18.
  2. Clough, Rob (July 14, 2016). "Geneviève Castrée: 1981-2016 |". The Comics Journal. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  3. Traps, Yevgeniya (July 19, 2018). "The Saddest Children's Book in the World". The Paris Review. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  4. Clough 2016.
  5. Albertson, Jasmine (March 28, 2019). "Beyond A Crow: Looking at the Life and Works of Geneviève Castrée". KEXP-FM. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  6. Vanderhoof, Erin (July 26, 2018). "Meet Phil Elverum, Michelle Williams's New Husband". Vanity Fair. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  7. McGillis, Ian (July 12, 2018). "Ian McGillis: Geneviève Castrée's A Bubble is a mother's lasting gift". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  8. Deziel, Shanda (July 16, 2018). "How Geneviève Castrée's posthumous A Bubble came to be". Quill and Quire. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  9. Kurt Andersen (April 12, 2018). "A void: The Noid". Studio 360 (Podcast). The World. Event occurs at 43:45-44:00. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  10. Woods, Allan (July 13, 2018). "Posthumous books from Quebec artist document the life she fought to save". The Record. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  11. "Ô Paon". www.opaon.ca. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  12. Howe, Brian (July 17, 2008). "Woelv: Tout Seul dans la Forêt en Plein Jour, Avez-Vous Peur?". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  13. "Ô Paon: Catalogue". opaon.ca. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  14. "Ô Paon: Collaborations". opaon.ca. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  15. Thompson, Paul (September 4, 2008). "Elverum, Lunsford, Blau Release New D+ Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  16. Barakat, Farah (April 15, 2013). "Aidan Baker Already Drowning". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  17. Smith, Suzette (July 5, 2018). "Geneviève Castrée's Last Book Is a Baby Book for Her Daughter". The Stranger. Retrieved October 16, 2020.
  18. Yoo, Noah. "Geneviève Elverum Has Died". pitchfork.com. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  19. Marc Maron (June 8, 2017). "WTF with Marc Maron Podcast - EPISODE 818 - MARK MULCAHY / PHIL ELVERUM". YouTube (Podcast). Event occurs at 26:00-28:30. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  20. Joffe, Justin (March 21, 2017). "Beyond Grief: How Mount Eerie Made an Album About His Wife's Death". Observer. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  21. "Lori Goldston: Floating in the High Cold Air". The Stranger. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  22. Monroe, Jazz. "Phil Elverum Seeks Donations for Wife's Cancer Treatment". pitchfork.com. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  23. Greene, Jayson (March 13, 2017). "Death Is Real: Mount Eerie's Phil Elverum Copes With Unspeakable Tragedy". Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  24. Blais-Billie, Braudie (September 11, 2019). "Black Belt Eagle Scout Is Bringing Queer Indigenous Stories to Indie Rock". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  25. Richards, John. "Black Belt Eagle Scout - Soft Stud". KEXP. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  26. Henry, Dusty (July 20, 2016). "Your Heart Breaks Remembers Geneviève Castrée With 'From Mount Eerie'". Seattle Weekly. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  27. "ORANGE SANGUINE new dolls and drawings by GENEVIEVE CASTREE". the crying room. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  28. "LA - "Deviate" (04/15/06 - 05/07/06)". Hustler of Culture. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  29. "TAB Event - Genevieve Castree Exhibition Book Gallery Popotame". Tokyo Art Beat. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  30. "Geneviève Castrée : Drawings". artnet. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  31. Castrée, Geneviève (Spring 2009), Bulletin Numero Deux
  32. "Geneviève Castrée Solo Exhibit". Presspop. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  33. "Run, don't walk, to Tokyo". Drawn & Quarterly. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  34. "We're Susceptible to Geneviève Castrée at the Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery!". Fantagraphics. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  35. "TAB Event - Forest of Suicides". Tokyo Artbeat. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
  36. "Drawn & Quarterly 25th Exhibit in Paris". Drawn & Quarterly.
  37. "Genevieve Castree exhibit in Monteal". Drawn & Quarterly. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  38. "This is Serious" exhibit at the Art Gallery of Hamilton". Drawn & Quarterly. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
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