Pounding the Pavement

Montreal photographers have for many years used the camera to chronicle the experience of everyday life in the city. This exhibition presents a history of street photography as practiced in Montreal from the 19^th century to the present day. Drawn primarily from the McCord Stewart Museum’s Photography collection, it features about thirty compelling bodies of work by photographers who, each in a very personal and dedicated way, have chosen to document Montreal’s urban fabric.

Bringing together established artists, little-known practices and non-dominant voices, the exhibition features over 400 photographs, divided into six thematic sections. These explore different facets of the street: as a public arena, a site of protest, an assertion of collective identity, an architectural environment, a setting for local culture, or simply a place where things happen. The exhibition recounts Montreal’s rich history through the eyes of individuals who have endeavoured to capture its distinctive character. Their images occasionally reveal the city’s beauty, but more often convey its complexity, contradictions, diversity and comedy.

This project has been made possible in part by the Documentary Heritage Communities Program offered by Library and Archives Canada.

Photographers

Paul-Marc Auger •Marik Boudreau • Bertrand Carrière • Serge Clément • Stephanie Colvey • Burt Covit • Gilbert Duclos • Ronald E. Fleischman  • Suzanne Girard • Clara Gutsche • David Hlynsky • James Inglis • Serge Emmanuel Jongué • Daniel Kieffer • Jean-François Leblanc • Leon Llewellyn • Martin Akwiranoron Loft • David W. Marvin • Edith H. Mather • Bruce McNeil • Brian Merrett • William Notman • J. G. Parks • Denis Plain • Alain Pratte • Normand Rajotte • John Smeaton • Alan B. Stone • Harry Sutcliffe • John Taylor • La presse Fonds