CAA Member and cancer researcher–turned– internationally acclaimed artist Antoine Gaber on using his gifts for good.
By Alison LaMantia
ARTIST ANTOINE GABER has travelled the world with “Water for Life” international art exhibition, his ongoing project that has featured the work of 140 artists from 40 countries. The ninth edition is on display at the Niagara Falls History Museum until January 5, 2025. Here, he reveals his passion for art and the power it has to provoke change.
Are you a cancer researcher by day, artist by night?
No, no, it’s in parallel. I was a cancer researcher managing clinical studies. I started painting just as a release and it turned into an international career. Sometimes, they say, ‘How could you be a cancer researcher and be an artist? It’s two separate parts of the brain.’ In fact, I got great research ideas while painting because your brain is in creative mode and you kind of step out of your comfort zone on what is feasible or not feasible.
“I got great research ideas while painting because
[my] brain is in creative mode”
Why were you inspired to create the “Water for Life” exhibition?
One person out of every [four] in the world does not have access to drinkable water. In Canada, [many] Indigenous communities don’t have drinkable water. And did you know that [almost] 20 percent of all the fresh water in the world passes through Niagara Falls? That’s why “Water for Life” started here.
Who is an artist you admire?
The famous muralist in Mexico, Rina Lazo. These people, these artists from the past — they all used to support important [humanitarian] causes.
You do that, too — use art to support causes. Why?
I think, What’s your legacy? When you die, you want people to remember you [and] say, “Oh, wow! We have this, or this was created.” And [to have] advanced a bit — advanced humanity, I guess, toward a better, healthier world.
What’s your favourite place where you’ve had an exhibition?
Monte Carlo. It was very beautiful, with all the yachts and the helicopters on the yachts — it makes one dream, right?
Do you have a favourite place you like to go that’s close to home?
I love to go on the Niagara Falls boat cruise. I never get bored of it. The power, the colour of the water, all the cyan, the double rainbows. Sometimes I’ve seen triple rainbows. It’s gorgeous. CAA
Port Hercule, Monte Carlo’s iconic marina.
PHOTOGRAPHS: (LEFT & MIDDLE) COURTESY OF ANTOINE GABER; (BOTTOM)