Ruelle / Hi!

The city of Montreal has many alleyways called ‘ruelles’. The word doesn’t have an exact English translation as they seem to only exist here, in Quebec. Ruelles are small streets that connect backyards and garages. Lined with different coloured fences, some are made of asphalt, others stone. Most ruelles are wide enough to fit a car, but some are much too narrow and only allow for bikes. Sometimes, they are filled with trash and overgrown vines, and other times, they are perfectly neat, upkept by the surrounding habitants.

I was inspired to paint this pink graffiti, found at the entrance of a Shaughnessy Village ruelle. These alleys can sometimes feel like private property— with communal gardens, fairy lights, and even outdoor furniture, making it feel pristine and private. This particular alleyway was no different. It had been meticulously cared for by its surrounding habitants: the asphalt was clean, with no pebble nor dust in sight. There was no graffiti, apart from this one. “Hi”, found at the very start of the ruelle, seemed to invite me into the hidden street, making me feel like an intruder into someone’s private space. This urban environment tested the limit between private and public. Technically municipal space, this alleyway became an extension of the homes that were found around it— neat and practical.

Growing up in a nearby neighbourhood, the alleyway behind my house had become a safe space to ride my bike, to host birthday parties, and to pet neighbourhood dogs. This alleyway, however, did not feel like my own. I was a guest, and felt the neighbourhood eyes on me as I galivanted through the narrow street. Exiting felt like a breath of fresh air and weeds poking through the broken asphalt felt familiar, the noise of the bustling city comforting.