If you’re walking past a Montreal bus stop in the near future, you may notice a few familiar (or not so familiar) faces next to you.
Starting July 24, the photographs of 14 inspiring Montrealers will be displayed in over 200 bus shelters across the city.
It’s a first in Quebec; local photographer Monic Richard created the street-side project, titled Inspiring Montrealers, in collaboration with the Société de transport de Montréal (STM).
“To do a nice portrait is to represent the person like they are,” Richard explained.
The 14 Montrealers, including Montreal Symphony Orchestra maestro Kent Nagano; singer Leonard Cohen, model Ève Salvail and pianist Oliver Jones, were chosen because they “marked and inspired the city’s diverse history.”
“It’s a tribute to Montrealers and to see them in a gallery, I couldn’t picture it,” she said, adding that she photographed people from all walks of life.
“It’s an homage to Montrealers who influenced generations: men, women, old, young, anglophones, francophones.”
Richard said the STM jumped on the project when she proposed it as bus shelters are at almost every street corner, allowing Montrealers and visitors to see the photographers.
“It was the first time for them to have the chance to exhibit something other than advertising,” she explained.
“I wanted to be where people are and occupy the public space. Artists are attracted to that which is unconventional, and for me, bus shelters are part of Montreal’s street furniture as well as an unconventional medium for art.”
She said she hopes artists will continue to have the opportunity to showcase their work across the city.
“There are visitors from outside, so it’s great for them to learn about real Montrealers.”
The photographs will be on display throughout the summer.
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