Henri Gadbois
American,
(1930–2018)
Born in Houston, Texas to a father working as a commercial artist for Madison Southwest, Henri Gadbois was exposed to art all his life. His father was vehemently opposed to abstract art and, although arguments regarding the subject matter were frequent, Gadbois was greatly influenced by his father. Gadbois was also strongly influenced by Noma Henderson, his high school art teacher. She introduced Gadbois to ceramics, leading to his first exhibition which featured a small bowl he created while still in high school.
Gadbois graduated from Lamar High School and earned his bachelor of fine arts and master of letters from the University of Houston in 1952 and 1953, respectively. Gadbois studied under Texas greats Robert Preusser and Lowell Collins, stating that his time at the University of Houston was one of great change. During his U.S. military service in Germany, he had studio space at the University of Georgia in Furth which allowed him to continue to paint.
Shortly before retiring from public school teaching, Gadbois began making faux food for the Yuletide Celebration at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. In 1995, he started Faux Foods, a company that makes earthenware foods in the 18th and 19th Century manner for museums.
Source: Foltz Fine Art Gallery