Yann Pocreau
Leurs effigies
2021
Presentation of the artwork
Leurs effigies is situated at Place des Commencements, at the end of the Port of Montréal’s Grand Quay. It is a symbolic site due to its deep and important roots in Montréal’s history; it is also prestigious, highly visible, and visited by tourists from all over the world. It offers an exceptional view of the city of Montréal, Île Sainte-Hélène, the Concorde Bridge, Parc Cité-du-Havre, Habitat 67, and the shipping activity at the Bickerdike Terminal.The monumental sculpture underlines the notable contribution of three women to the foundations of Montréal society. It is inspired by the profiles of Jeanne Mance, Marguerite Bourgeoys, and Marguerite d’Youville, whose legacies are still palpable in the healthcare, education, and social development sectors. The work consists of three elegant, unadorned stainless-steel arches, with two veils of copper at their top, blending head outlines and light and also evoking the green-tinted roofs of Montréal buildings and the port’s industrial architecture. A work of memory, Leurs effigies offers a reminder of the contribution of women, especially nuns, to the development of the city.
It is the largest work of public art that Pocreau has produced.
Associated events
Produced on the very site where Montréal was founded, facing the former Ville-Marie fort, Leurs effigies pays tribute to three women who made a great contribution to the birth of the city and marked the history of Québec: Jeanne Mance (healthcare), Marguerite Bourgeoys (education), and Marguerite d’Youville (social services). Thanks to these visionary women, builders and pillars of a young city, Montréal began to flourish and the foundations of its society took root. This work of public art celebrates their accomplishments and highlights their heritage, which imbues the city’s values even today. 
© Yann Pocreau
Maxime Brouillet, 2023
Yann Pocreau
Yann Pocreau was born in Québec City in 1980. He holds a BA in art history and visual arts from the Université du Québec à Montréal (2004) and a master’s degree in visual and media arts from the same university (2008). He is interested in light as a living subject and in its effect on the narrative line of images. His work has been shown in exhibitions in Canada, the United States, and Europe and is in the collections of the National Bank of Canada, Hydro-Québec, Desjardins, the Ville de Montréal, the Ville de Longueuil, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the Musée d’art de Joliette. He his represented by Galerie Blouin Division in Montreal.
Presentation of the artwork
Leurs effigies is situated at Place des Commencements, at the end of the Port of Montréal’s Grand Quay. It is a symbolic site due to its deep and important roots in Montréal’s history; it is also prestigious, highly visible, and visited by tourists from all over the world. It offers an exceptional view of the city of Montréal, Île Sainte-Hélène, the Concorde Bridge, Parc Cité-du-Havre, Habitat 67, and the shipping activity at the Bickerdike Terminal.The monumental sculpture underlines the notable contribution of three women to the foundations of Montréal society. It is inspired by the profiles of Jeanne Mance, Marguerite Bourgeoys, and Marguerite d’Youville, whose legacies are still palpable in the healthcare, education, and social development sectors. The work consists of three elegant, unadorned stainless-steel arches, with two veils of copper at their top, blending head outlines and light and also evoking the green-tinted roofs of Montréal buildings and the port’s industrial architecture. A work of memory, Leurs effigies offers a reminder of the contribution of women, especially nuns, to the development of the city.
It is the largest work of public art that Pocreau has produced.
Associated events
Produced on the very site where Montréal was founded, facing the former Ville-Marie fort, Leurs effigies pays tribute to three women who made a great contribution to the birth of the city and marked the history of Québec: Jeanne Mance (healthcare), Marguerite Bourgeoys (education), and Marguerite d’Youville (social services). Thanks to these visionary women, builders and pillars of a young city, Montréal began to flourish and the foundations of its society took root. This work of public art celebrates their accomplishments and highlights their heritage, which imbues the city’s values even today.
Yann Pocreau
Yann Pocreau was born in Québec City in 1980. He holds a BA in art history and visual arts from the Université du Québec à Montréal (2004) and a master’s degree in visual and media arts from the same university (2008). He is interested in light as a living subject and in its effect on the narrative line of images. His work has been shown in exhibitions in Canada, the United States, and Europe and is in the collections of the National Bank of Canada, Hydro-Québec, Desjardins, the Ville de Montréal, the Ville de Longueuil, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, and the Musée d’art de Joliette. He his represented by Galerie Blouin Division in Montreal.
