This icon is Janette Bertrand, who will be 100 years old on March 25, 2025. In collaboration with the city of Montreal and the borough of Ville-Marie, the Société pour Promouvoir Les Arts Gigantesques (SPAG) presents this brand new mural in tribute to this great lady who left her mark on several generations of women.
• Also read: Pony Creates Its First-Ever Outdoor Mural in Montreal, Here’s Where to Find It
• Also read: Here’s where to find the new mural in tribute to Karl Tremblay of the Cowboys Fringants
The festivities began with the unveiling of this ceramic mosaic mural, a visual representation of the portrait of Janette Bertrand by urban art creator Laurent Gascon, in the Quartier Culturel des Faubourgs, at the corner of Ontario and Montgomery streets.
This work is part of a prestigious series highlighting various local artists. The outdoor exhibition is of capital importance for the Ville-Marie district, reinforcing the sense of belonging and enriching the cultural experience of the community where Janette Bertrand was born, precisely at the corner of Iberville and Ontario streets.
Valérie Plante also declared: “What pride to inaugurate this mural in honour of our dear Janette Bertrand, Montreal star of Quebec popular culture, and in particular here, in the Centre-Sud where she was born. On the eve of her 100th birthday, we can say without a shadow of a doubt that Janette Bertrand is an eternal woman who is part of who we are as a society. This mural, a few steps from her birthplace, is therefore intended as a gift and a token of our recognition for all her work.”
Laurent Gascon, the artist behind the works, has been active in the visual arts community since the early 1970s. He has created and produced several urban paintings that represent various icons: La Bolduc, Robert Charlebois, Marjo, Yvon Deschamps and many more.
Janette Bertrand is an emblematic figure in Quebec culture for her talent as a writer, journalist, host and screenwriter. From the beginning, she stood out for her commitment to the feminist cause and her desire to address important social issues. She left her mark on Quebec’s media history. Ms. Bertrand also contributed to the development of Quebec television with influential programs that addressed often taboo subjects. Her exemplary career and her commitment to social justice make her a respected and admired figure in Quebec’s contemporary history. Her impact continues through her writings and her contributions to public dialogue on crucial issues.
