New Montreal mural by world renowned artist Agostino Iacurci: a first in Canada

There’s a new mural making waves in Montreal’s Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough. It’s by Italian-born, internationally renowned artist, Agostino Iacurci.

“I am very honored to be here in Montreal because the city has a long tradition of murals and festivals, so it’s part of the life of the city,” Agostino Iacurci said at the inauguration of his mural.

His work is in cities worldwide including Paris and Rome. This is his first in Canada.

“Each mural is different because I try to be specific to the place and get inspiration sometimes through stories, colors, architecture. But common threads in my work are my interest for nature, plants and the history of wall painting,” he explained.

The mural, he painted on the side of a public housing building where a fire occurred and a person was killed, shows 12 flower pots which represent community and diversity.

“The idea is to reconnect with still life, bringing it outside. It represents a community through an object that is a plant and a very intimate moment of the house,” he said.

The mural is entitled the “Premise of a Flower” and Agostino says it’s dedicated to the neighbors.

“It’s named after a conversation I had with a neighbor who was seeing the colors as a premise for a flower to come.”

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The project was mandated by the non-profit organization MU and is part of a larger plan to embellish the area next to Parc Jean-Brillant.

“The street is eventually going to be closed, the park changed a lot and the residents, the community wanted a mural, so that’s how we came in. Agostino we wanted to work with him for many years. We love his work. It’s very unique. There is no other muralist that looks like Agostino’s work,” said Elizabeth-Ann Doyle, Executive Director and Co-Founder of MU.

“I felt a genuine curiosity and appreciation for the project, this idea of adding a layer of beauty to the city,” Agostino added.