Montreal’s largest mural pays tribute to Griffintown’s history

The École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) inaugurated Montreal’s largest mural, Lignes du temps, an artistic project dedicated to the history of Griffintown.

The mural is located at the corner of Peel and William streets.

The Artducommun artists’ collective, composed of Jasmin Guérard-Alie and Simon Bachand, and the mural’s producer Artgang, spent the entire summer creating the 19,000 sq. ft. mural, which highlights different stages in the evolution of Griffintown, one of Montreal’s oldest neighbourhoods.

It was made possible with financial support of the Quebec government and the City of Montreal, as part of the Entente de développement culturel de Montréal.

“Lignes du temps is much more than a simple work of art, requiring the expert advice of Pierre Guillot-Hurtubise, a recognized enthusiast for the area’s brewing history and owner of many of the artifacts in the Dow Museum housed at ÉTS. The mural reveals the vestiges of First Peoples’ occupation, celebrates the historic presence of the Irish community, pays tribute to industrial development across the Lachine Canal and highlights the site’s brewing heritage, as well as many other captivating elements,” said the school in a press release.

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“ÉTS is delighted to contribute to the enrichment of Montreal’s artistic heritage with this spectacular mural. We want to play an active role in Griffintown’s cultural renewal, and this type of project enables us to do so while honoring the history of our neighborhood,” said François Gagnon, ÉTS General Manager and CEO.

“This masterful work, created by artist collective Artducommun, is much more than a simple mural. It represents an artistic journey through the history of Griffintown, revealing its rich heritage and evolution over the years. The Ville de Montréal is proud to support public art and culture, and to have been able to provide financial backing for this extraordinary project. This mural is sure to become an icon, reminding all Montrealers of the importance of art in our daily lives and of ÉTS as a major player in the sector,” noted Benoit Dorais, vice-president of the executive committee and responsible for housing, real estate strategies and transactions, legal affairs and strategic real estate projects, and mayor of the Sud-Ouest borough.

Mural at ÉTS in Griffintown on Oct. 2, 2023. (CREDIT: Matt Tornabene, CityNews Image)

(Courtesy: Groupe CNW/École de technologie supérieure)