New artwork unveiled at Préfontaine station

News

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) has unveiled a new piece of artwork, entitled Relier [“Connect”], outside Préfontaine métro station.

Created by artist Catherine Sylvain and added to the station during accessibility updates, the sculpture honours employees of the Bureau de transport métropolitain for their substantial contributions to the extensions added to the Montréal métro. The piece depicts two clasped hands flowing into a long vertical loop, reminiscent of a métro line’s route.

Sylvain’s artistic approach aims to better understand the components that form and transform human beings and their relationships in the course of their lifetimes. This exploration often leads her to design works that portray human bodies and body parts.

This is the 92nd work of art integrated into the métro network. This spring, the sculpture will be featured in a video by La Fabrique culturelle spotlighting the artist’s work and process. This will be the second partnership between the STM and La Fabrique culturelle, which previously produced another video exploring the art that enhances Montréal’s métro stations.

“Our métro is known throughout the world for the art that it displays. Most of the network’s 68 stations include built-in artwork for all Montrealers to enjoy. Relier is the first piece to be installed at Préfontaine station, making it a wonderful addition to the gallery that is our metro,” said Éric Alan Caldwell, Chair of the STM Board of Directors.

"The STM is very proud to showcase the work of artists like Catherine Sylvain in its network through contests that promote diversity and make public art accessible to our clientele," added the Interim Executive Director, Marie-Claude Léonard.

Work at Préfontaine station began in September 2019, including the installation of elevators, which were commissioned this past November. The art was included through the “1% policy,” the Politique d’intégration des arts à l'architecture et à l'environnement des bâtiments et des sites gouvernementaux et publics.

https://www.stm.info/en/info/service-updates/stm-works/prefontaine-0