Behind the lens with Eva Blue

I wish I had had the opportunity to introduce pop icon Joan Rivers to Eva Blue. I knew Ms. Rivers very well for many years, she was a true professional who adored a great photographer. And workaholic Eva is quite possibly the hardest-working photographer in Montreal, who has snapped incredible portraits of everybody from Barack Obama and Madonna to Justin Trudeau and my Mom.

Even if you don’t know her name, you have surely seen her at work on the streets of Montreal, at every concert and festival, every parade and nightclub, or seen her work in the pages of The New York Times and The Guardian. The world knows her best as the house photographer for Tourisme Montreal: her photos of our city have sold countless airline tickets and hotel rooms. She has made us all a lot of money. Quite frankly, Eva is one of our city’s greatest ambassadors and one of the finest photographers of her generation.

Which is why I was thrilled Eva finally made her art gallery debut with her “Chaste” solo show at Galerie Youn on the Main in September. Her photos capture Montreal icons like the cross atop Mount Royal, the Orange Julep and the Farine Five Roses sign via astrophotography, light painting and long-exposure night photography.  

The show description reads, “Chaste is a series born out of necessity during the restrictive times of COVID-19. Choosing not to lose her mind, Eva spent many cold nights alone with the stars in barren cityscapes and skyscapes.”

In layman’s terms, this show sparkles. Eva’s photos are as Montreal as two-cheek kisses and orange traffic cones. They say every picture tells a story. In Montreal, Eva’s photos tell ours.

Chaste by Eva Blue at Galerie Youn runs until November 14 (5226 Saint-Laurent Blvd.). The gallery follows strict pandemic safety guidelines and is open to the public on November 7 and 14 from 1 to 5 pm. Chaste can also be seen online here.

Eva Blue’s complete works are also available at Galerie Youn. For more information, visit galerieyoun.com.