Feat for your eyes: discover public art near Jean-Talon Market
Little Italy and Villeray Culture, arts and heritage
Jean-Talon Market is one of Montréal’s most iconic landmarks. A true bouquet of flavours, aromas and colours, it brings together a cornucopia of local vendors offering high-quality, seasonal products. The harvest season is the perfect time to stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables, so while you’re here, why not explore the inspiring public artworks located just steps away?
Public Art Montréal highlights four remarkable works by four different artists, all within walking distance of the market.
A cultural love letter
Facing the market on the Archambault building, you’ll find La pomme du savoir (The Apple of Knowledge), a grand mural by French-born artist Mathieu Bories (Mateo). Through collage and stencil, Mateo explores themes of nostalgia and romance, offering a fresh lens on the world around us. This mural is a love letter to culture, full of layered references for those who take the time to look closely. It portrays a statue of a woman holding an apple pierced by an arrow: a symbol with many meanings, but also a nod to the beloved local fruit you’ll find in abundance at the market at this time of year.
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The identity of a neighbourhood
At De Castelnau metro station, Québec artist Jean-Charles Charuest created Untitled, a tribute to the Italian community deeply rooted in the area and the life of Jean-Talon Market itself. The station walls are adorned with engravings of marketgoers in everyday scenes, designed in tones and materials reminiscent of historic Italian cities. Born in Quebec City in 1925, Charuest devoted much of his career to decorating churches. These engravings, produced in 1986, continue to shape the identity of the neighbourhood today.
To catch your eye
Walking along rue Bélanger, you may catch the intense, hypnotic gaze of a pair of eyes on the façade of number 767. This is Scratching the Surface by Alexandre Farto (VHILS), a Portuguese artist of international renown. Using a unique combination of techniques—sculpture, engraving, and painting—VHILS creates multidimensional works with striking visual impact. Known for transforming city walls around the globe, his contribution in Montréal is a powerful reminder of the city’s place in the worldwide street art movement.
A tribute to women around the world
Discover Guerrilleras (Fighters) on rue de Saint-Vallier, a striking mural by Mexican artist Maria Dolores Gomez (YUDA). This poignant piece adorns the wall at 7080 and pays homage to resilient women across the globe. Depicting a sleeping woman embracing a young girl, it draws from Mexican muralism, an influential artistic and social movement linked to the Mexican Revolution, class struggles and Indigenous resistance. Created to mark the centenary of the muralist movement, the work was YUDA’s first outside Mexico. Over 15 days, she dedicated 12 hours a day to bring this generous gift to Montréal’s cultural landscape.
Want to see more? Visit Art Public Montréal to discover many other public artworks across the city.
Original article in French by Valérie Dorion, adapted into English by Dawn Bessey-Gans.
Valérie Dorion
In love with words and Montreal, Valérie writes for various media and companies and creates colorful, original, but always relevant content. A true foodie and traveler, she likes to be on the lookout for anything new in terms of gastronomy and activities. On a daily basis, you'll probably find her on her laptop at the latest local coffee shop, writing or looking for the latest hot spots.