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The Main Media Inc. 2026

✦ Built By Field Office
    The Main

    Montreal's Cultural Directory

    Help us improve! Share your thoughts on how we can make your experience better.

    Leave feedback

    For partnerships and collaborations:

    partnerships@themain.com

    Content

    • Articles
    • Food & Drink
    • Arts & Culture
    • History Lesson
    • Bulletin
    • Events

    Guides

    • All Guides
    • Best Restaurants
    • Best Cafés
    • Best Bars
    • Best Brunch
    • Best Bakeries

    Explore Montreal

    • Browse Directory
    • Restaurants
    • Bars
    • Cafés
    • Bookstores
    • Leaderboard
    • Editor's Picks
    • New Places

    About

    • About us
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Advertise
    • Pitch us
    • RSS Feed

    Legal

    • Terms of service
    • Membership Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    Follow us
    InstagramTwitterTiktokLinkedin

    The Main Media Inc. 2026

    ✦ Built By Field Office
      --°C|Monday, May 4, 2026|
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      --°C|Monday, May 4, 2026|
      Subscribe today to get 3 free articles per month.Get 50% off your first 5 rides with Lyft
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      The artist behind Montreal’s most therapeutic street art
      Montreal street artist MAKENOIZE.

      If you've spent any time in Montreal over the past decade and a half, you've seen his work: Smiling faces looking down from unexpected corners, bridge supports, and highway overpasses with words like "AMOUR", "KINDNESS", "ESPOIR", or "MAKENOIZE."

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      His work is everywhere.

      "It was in 2011 when I was going through a big depression," he says, tracing the origins of his project. "I'm kind of the sad clown (Pagliacci), you know. I'm putting on a happy face, but I'm someone who has struggled with mental health. So every time I put something up, it's more for me and to remind myself to be happy in this world. Thank God if it helps others as well."

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      Arts & Culture

      The Artist Behind Montreal’s Most Therapeutic Street Art

      Discussing 15 years of anonymity, personal pain, and guerrilla positivity with MAKENOIZE.

      ByJ.P. Karwacki

      April 28, 2025 · 5 min read

      The artist behind Montreal’s most therapeutic street art
      Montreal street artist MAKENOIZE.

      If you've spent any time in Montreal over the past decade and a half, you've seen his work: Smiling faces looking down from unexpected corners, bridge supports, and highway overpasses with words like "AMOUR", "KINDNESS", "ESPOIR", or "MAKENOIZE."

      These simple messages from Montreal street artist MAKENOIZE arrive in a complicated world to bring some levity and love to it, fastened high above street level where people can't snatch them.

      His work is everywhere.

      "It was in 2011 when I was going through a big depression," he says, tracing the origins of his project. "I'm kind of the sad clown (Pagliacci), you know. I'm putting on a happy face, but I'm someone who has struggled with mental health. So every time I put something up, it's more for me and to remind myself to be happy in this world. Thank God if it helps others as well."

      Free account required

      For readers who care about Montreal

      Create a free account to read this story and access 3 articles per month, plus our weekly Bulletin.

      Independent. Local. Reader-supported.

      or

      Already a member? Sign in

      The Main

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      Share your thoughts and join the conversation. Please be respectful and constructive.

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