New Montreal mural commemorating former Quebec premier René Lévesque

A new mural is being painted to honour former Quebec premier René Lévesque.

Kevin Ledo is the artist behind the work of art –the was project put in motion in 2022, the year of Lévesque’s 100th birthday. And it’s almost done – the official inauguration of the mural is expected around Lévesque’s 102nd birthday on August 24^th.

The mural is organized by Montreal charity organization MU.  It shows the portrait of Lévesque, premier of Quebec from 1976 to 1985, as well as a quote about the adoption of the Charter of the French Language in 1977. 

“We actually started working on the project two years ago. It took us a long time to secure the wall, the location, the funding, and the artists. So, it just took a while to make, but now it’s finally happening. It’s going to be an amazing landmark mural for Montreal,” said Elizabeth-Anne Doyle, founder and executive director of MU.

Ledo began painting earlier in July and hopes to complete it by early August.

“I wanted a certain kind of look, something that was a little bit more iconic. So, I found this one from a campaign when he was a politician, possibly from his early years in politics—I found it on a book cover. That’s the image I’m using. I wanted it to convey a sense where he has this gaze into the distance, projecting a leader, visionary kind of look in the image,” said Ledo.

Weeks of his painting does comes with its challenges.

“It’s a large mural, so the first challenge is covering a lot of surface area. Then, I decided to depict a really big face—about three to four stories high. So, that’s a significant challenge as well,” said Ledo.

The mural is located on a Quebec government building in Villeray on Crémazie boulevard near Gaspé Avenue and can be seen by motorists travelling eastbound on Highway 40.

“René Lévesque being a super important prime minister in the province. And as a humanist, I think it’s good to have a tribute to him specifically,” said Doyle.

“All the murals that we have pay tribute to more than just homage; they also serve as education. They introduce new people, including young generations and newcomers to the city, to our local history. René Lévesque being such an important prime minister in the province, and as a humanist, I think it’s important to specifically pay tribute to him.”

This isn’t Ledo’s first mural in the city, he’s also designed and painted others including the Daisy Peterson Sweeney mural in St-Henri, and the mural of Levesque is a way to immortalize his legacy.

“Many people are deeply moved by it. He was incredibly important to many, so it holds great meaning for them. It brings me joy to create a mural of someone who means so much to so many people,” he said.