Few events peak the interest of traveling photographers quite like local festivals. These festivals provide an abundance of interesting subjects to photograph. From ancient and cultural traditions to music and arts, travelers can expect amazing visuals to see and photograph. This year’s Montreal Mural Arts Festival, which concluded recently after a magnificent run lasting from June 4 – 14, is no different. The event attracted artists from all over the world to participate and contribute their skills in the field of mural painting.
One such artist is Christian Guémy (@christianguemy), a Parisian stencil artist known by the monicker “C215″. Guémy is now on his tenth year of beautifying urban surroundings with his vivid and colorful portraits. “Street art provides dreamy evasions and allows people to feel emotions when walking the streets instead of walking in a standardized cold city.” Christian tells the Instagram blog. The various cities where he has contributed mural art also serves as his main platform for drawing portraits “I can portrait anybody from anonymous to celebrities,” he adds..
The 10-day festivities were the culmination of creative bursts channeled by the artists, transforming the areas surrounding Saint-Laurent Boulevard to one big gallery housing impressive artworks. All of the artworks done for the festival are guaranteed to last for one year – then another set of artists will once again make the whole neighborhood a blank canvas for next year’s event.
Many of us no longer view the spray painted images on a brick wall as a form of ‘vandalism’, thanks to these street-art artists, we are starting to look at it differently and in a more positive vibe. Montreal is known for its art flavor and bustling scene for individuals with creative minds. The Mural Festival is just one of the many events held in the city, that reflects its diverse and multi-cultural influences. Through the street arts and mural filled walls, we see a reflection of the worldwide culture – with painted narrative that transforms the urban jungle into one giant art haven.
The Montreal Mural Art Festival is still young, as its initial event in 2013. It is now being regarded as one of the driving forces that is elevating the status of street art into a world class artistic movement. Just by looking at these images it is easy to know why.
To see more images of the recently concluded MURAL International Public Art Festival just head over to the Instagram account @muralfestival.