Doras (born in 1990), Niamh, 2022, acrylic paint on pavement. Production: MU. Photo Olivier Bousquet
Doras (born in 1990), Niamh, 2022, acrylic paint on pavement. Production: MU. Photo Olivier Bousquet
Niamh
Every summer since 2013, the MMFA has been inviting local creative talent to design and execute an installation for the portion of Du Musée Avenue that gets converted into a pedestrian walkway. This year, you can discover a work by the artist Doras, produced by MU!
An Irish legend revisited
The art installation Niamh is inspired by the themes of nature and time present in Nicolas Party’s exhibition L’heure mauve. It revisits the Irish legend of Niamh and Oisín in Tír na nÓg. On this paradisiacal island that is virtually immune to the ravages of time, three years is the equivalent of three hundred on Earth.
The gigantic portrait spanning the length of Du Musée Avenue is a depiction of Niamh, an immortal who, from her seat in eternity, looks on as her mortal husband, Oisín, leaves the island for an Earth she knows he will no longer recognize.
Niamh thus leads us to reflect on how we, as humans, come to terms with the passage of time. The installation also aims to bring an urban public closer to nature, and invites them to discover symbols of a realm of everlasting youth and natural beauty as they meander along the street.
Doras (born in 1990), Niamh, 2022, acrylic paint on pavement. Production: MU. Photo @jfsavaria
About the artist
Doras is a Montreal-based multidisciplinary artist, illustrator, muralist and director who has been painting murals since 2017. He draws his inspiration from his background in narrative illustration, adopting a style marked by contrasting scales, contours and colours.
His fascination with precious objects and dreams manifests in his creations, where he combines historical ornaments and iconography with elements of contemporary fantasy. His large-scale works feature objects, scenes and characters that seem to leap from the pages of a book.
Doras. Photo Funeh Aliu
An opportunity to recognize our generous donors
Over 6,300 people generously gave to the Museum’s 2021-2022 Annual Fundraising Campaign. A panel is installed on Du Musée Avenue to pay tribute to them for their invaluable support.
Credits and acknowledgements
Niamh was designed at the request of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and executed by MU with the invaluable support of Ville de Montréal, Ville-Marie Borough, and Denalt Paints. The program of events and activities on Du Musée Avenue has been made possible thanks to the financial support of Tourisme Montréal’s Fonds de maintien des actifs stratégiques en tourisme (FMAST) program, in collaboration with the Gouvernement du Québec.
Doras (born in 1990), Niamh, 2022, acrylic paint on pavement. Production: MU. Photo @jfsavaria
Doras. Photo Funeh Aliu
