Montrealers’ portraits grace bus shelters across city
Photographer’s 14 portraits of inspirational Montrealers will greet transit users until Aug. 7, writes Claire Loewen.
A tribute to Montrealers who have shaped the city is coming to a place where many of its residents can be found — bus shelters.
From July 24 to Aug. 7, more than 200 STM bus shelters will display a series of portraits of inspiring Montrealers taken by photographer Monic Richard.
Fourteen portraits, including the likes of Oliver Jones, Leonard Cohen, Kim Thúy and Iona Monahan, will be displayed as far north as Henri-Bourassa Blvd., and as far south as Verdun.
With this project, titled Montréalais inspirants, Richard wanted to create something for Montrealers — so she decided to put it where Montrealers are.
The Montreal-based photographer, who has worked with countless celebrities and magazines in the city and elsewhere, contacted Quebecor Media, which owns the ad space on the shelters, about the project. Richard said the company offered her 200 shelters, 75 of which are digital and will show slide shows of the photos.
What follows is a Q&A with Richard, in which she discusses the city, her career and how she chose the 14 subjects.
This interview has been condensed and edited.
Q How has the city of Montreal influenced you as a photographer?
A The diversity is very important in Montreal. We have so much talent … Montreal is just a great city in all aspects. It’s unbelievable — the quality of life, the people, the energy. There are so many good artists, and I just love Montreal.
Q What inspired you to create this project?
A It’s an important year for Montreal — it’s the 375th anniversary. I wanted to pay tribute to those Montrealers, for Montrealers. I think that even though we’re having this exhibition in the bus shelters ... it’s very special because it gives access to everyone.
If you want, you can stop and take the time you want, and you don’t have to go to a special place to see them. It gives the opportunity to know the people you’ve never ... heard of (and) learn about them.
Q How did you choose the 14 portraits?
A It was a really hard choice — extremely hard, for many reasons, because the pool of my portfolio was really big and I had to cut down. First of all, I had to find ... Montrealers who did great things for Montreal, and (then I had to figure out) the medium.
I would have put many other great Montrealers, but most of them, I didn’t take (their) photo. I would love to put everyone, but I don’t have them in my portfolio.
Q What are some of your favourite portraits that will be displayed?
A It’s a really tough question, because I have a really particular, special relationship with every person in those photos. I cannot say I have a favourite one, because they’re all my favourite. I started with 400 portraits, and I (ended up) with 14 — I like them all.
Q Why did you choose former Montreal Gazette fashion reporter Iona Monahan as one of the inspiring Montrealers?
A She worked hard, was disciplined and funny, eccentric. She has a special place in my heart.
For Montreal in fashion, she did the best. Great designers are here because of her. Great photographers are here because of her. She was really amazing, and I really like that portrait.
Q What do you think this project means for the city?
A I’m just hoping this project will open the door to other artists. Montreal needs that. For Montreal, I think it will give a tribute to everyone in those portraits. They made a difference for Montreal. I’m sure it will be really inspiring for other artists.
Q Do you have any advice for budding photographers?
A You don’t need to be really wellequipped. You can (take) amazing photographs with a small camera. I think the most important thing is your eye — the framing, the vision. It’s just ... your interpretation.
Taking portraits, it’s really about the person you have in front of you. You have to listen to the person, have the feeling of the person. It’s not only technical. There’s something in their eye — you have to go and look. You have to let them forget where they are.