It was against a backdrop of blues that we launched the inauguration of the exhibition room. A very special atmosphere for a man who was just as special. “I have the feeling that Pierre is there,” said the mayor of Bromont, Louis Villeneuve, to the people gathered for the occasion. He was a nature lover. He was always ready. For his city, he always had a smile and looked for solutions. Today, we are here to celebrate it.”
Anne Lauzon, a Bromont artist who worked with Pierre Dunnigan, paid him a vibrant tribute. “Passionate, connected to all of us, he loved to share. […] Thank you for your generosity, for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone, to try new artistic experiences. Thanks to you, I grew up.”
Everyone who enters the Pauline Quinlan library now looks at the name of Pierre Dunnigan. (Stéphane Champagne/La Voix de l’Est)
Visibly moved, Claire Mailhot broke the ice by presenting herself in front of the crowd, “Welcome to the Pierre-Dunnigan room!”, said to loud applause the one who was her accomplice for three decades. […] It’s a venue that resembles it. Bright, creative, welcoming, unifying, diverse. The room is accessible, it’s free. It’s great. He who loved to surprise us, I believe that today, it is he who is surprised. I don’t think he expected such a tribute.”
A very significant place indeed, because the professional photographer was one of the first artists to exhibit his works there, in 2007.
“Transform the simple into the marvelous”
You just have to listen to the people who knew Pierre Dunnigan talk about the countless journeys that punctuated his flourishing career, which spans nearly 30 years, to understand that he was not the type to settle for half-heartedly. measure. He gave his all to everything he did, absorbing the people and the world around him. “Pierre was an adventurer in life, always on the lookout for the light and beauty of the world. He always liked to transform the simple into the marvelous,” summarized Claire Mailhot.
Several of his photos have won awards in national and international competitions. One of them also found himself on the cover of the renowned Reader’s Digest magazine.
One of the many highlights of the celebration was the unveiling of the commemorative plaque which now adorns the exhibition hall. “Pierre Dunnigan, renowned photographer, was able to capture reality from a unique angle, transformed by the lens and a curious look to expose the beauty of the place and the moment,” we can read.
“Throughout his career, Pierre has been able to shine a light on people, nature and the great outdoors in all corners of Quebec. In particular Nunavik, Gaspésie and of course, Bromont. An exceptional photographer, Pierre was fascinated by the Far North, where he carried out a large number of expeditions.
The Nordic expedition enthusiast died accidentally in 2021. (Stéphane Champagne/La Voix de l’Est)
The final sentence read by Claire is particularly eloquent and transcends the quest of Pierre, who left his family at 62. “Light, even at night”.
