Mile End came alive in the most beautiful and meaningful way last week as Montreal kicked off its celebration of one of the most important painters in the history of modern Quebec art: Denis Juneau, one hundred years after his birth.
The Simon Blais Gallery at 5420 boulevard Saint-Laurent welcomed family, collaborators, art historians, artists, cultural figures, and the simply curious for an opening evening that felt as warm and joyful as it was deeply significant. Photographed beautifully by Gabriel Fournier, the evening marked the beginning of a landmark centennial celebration that will unfold across Montreal and beyond throughout the coming months.
Denis Juneau (1925–2014) was a leading figure of the 1950s New Wave of Art, distinguished by his rigorous and masterful approach to geometric abstraction and a lifelong, passionate exploration of colour, space, movement, and perception. Despite living with total deafness, he led a remarkably prolific career, creating an extraordinary body of work that includes sculptures, murals, drawings, and the iconic logo of the Université de Montréal. His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries across Canada, and in New York, Washington, Paris, London, and Brussels.
As Claude Joli-Coeur, Trustee of the Denis Juneau Trust, puts it so powerfully: “One hundred years after his birth, Denis Juneau remains an inspiration. More than a tribute, these celebrations invite us to rediscover a visionary creator whose legacy lives on.”
The centennial programming is as ambitious as the artist himself: exhibitions, murals, publications, educational projects, and exciting new institutional collaborations are all part of a forward-looking celebration that opens a new chapter in the dissemination of Juneau’s remarkable work.
The current exhibition at Galerie Simon Blais is on view until October 24th, open Tuesday to Saturday with free admission. One of the most important and most accessible cultural experiences in Montreal right now.
Denis Juneau centennial exhibition at Galerie Simon Blais, 5420 boulevard Saint-Laurent, Mile End. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Free admission. On view until October 24, 2026.