Open air galleries

The “Jailspot”

Gallery 8 Comments

The “Jailspot” is the name given by graffiti writers and urban explorers to two contiguous abandoned buildings on Henri-Bourassa at the level of the now closed Tanguay prison. These buildings were not actually part of the closed prison, they belonged to Transport Québec who once used them as hangars for heavy machinery. They appear to have been used in the recent past as offices and warehouse space. The westernmost of the two is older than the other one which seems to have been built around 2006-2007. For the following years the latter new construction was used for sporadic warehouse sales.

Business must not have been very good, the buildings were left unused as early as 2011-2012 and signs of graffiti action started appearing, first outside, then inside. Within a few years the two buildings were completely taken over by explorers and writers/artists. Everything except the warehouse at the front of the easternmost building quickly deteriorated, through the combined actions of vandals and rain/snow through broken doors and windows as well as collapsed roofs. The two buildings were finally gradually demolished over the spring and summer of 2016.

If you have any additional information about this spot, feel free to write in and contribute to this article.

The gallery below is divided by rooms and other areas where artists left their mark. The names of the rooms are not official ones, I just came up with them for comprehensive purposes. A plan of the spot can be seen below, at the top of the gallery.

Le “Jailspot” est le nom donné par les graffeurs et explorateurs urbains à deux édifices voisins sur Henri-Bourassa devant l’ancienne prison Tanguay. Ces deux édifices ne font en fait pas partie de l’ancienne prison, ils appartenaient à Transport Québec et ont déjà servi de hangars pour de la machinerie lourde. Ils semblent avoir ensuite servi de bureaux et d’entrepôts au cours des années précédant leur abandon. Celui situé le plus à l’ouest semble dater d’avant l’autre qui a été construit vers 2006-2007. Au cours des années qui ont suivi sa construction ce dernier a été le lieu de ventes d’entrepôt.

Les affaires n’ont pas dû être très profitables, déjà vers 2011-2012 les édifices n’étaient plus utilisés et les graffeurs ont commencé à arriver sur les lieux, d’abord à l’extérieur, ensuite à l’intérieur. Très rapidement l’endroit a été pris d’assaut par les explorateurs urbains et les graffeurs. Tout sauf les pièces du devant s’est rapidement détérioré, sous l’action de vandales et de la pluie/neige entrant par les portes et fenêtres brisées ainsi que des portions de toits effondrés. Les deux édifices ont finalement été démolis au cours du printemps et de l’été 2016.

Si vous détenez de l’information additionnelle sur cet endroit, vous êtes invités à me contacter et contribuer à cet article.

La gallerie-photo ci-dessous est divisée en pièces et autres zones où les artistes ont oeuvré. Les noms des différentes pièces ne sont pas officiels, ils sont ceux que j’ai utilisés pour mes besoins d’archivage. Le plan ci-dessous montre les positions relatives de ces pièces.

the “Jailspot”, plan of the various room and areas.
Plan of the various rooms and areas. The codes E1 to E6 and W1 to W5 refer to the room sub-sections below. Click to expand.

Eastern building

the “Jailspot”, Eastern building, street view 2015
Street view from Henri-Bourassa, 2015. Visible in the front are abandoned limousines!

the “Jailspot”, Eastern building, street view 2015
Different angle; visible at the back is the dome of the old Tanguay prison which gave this spot its name amongst writers and urban explorers.

E1 – the galleries

general view of the galleries at the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the galleries on the right, and the central rooms on the left.

Kems aka Kemr inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Kems/Kemr

Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor

Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor

Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor

Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor

Kemt inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Kemt

Tuna inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna

Shok inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok

Shok inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok

Shok inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok

Shok inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok

Shok at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok from a Four Lokos prod.

Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor from a Four Lokos prod.

Narc at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Narc from a Four Lokos prod.

Tuna at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna from a Four Lokos prod.

Tuna (ground level), Koni (above left) and Saner (above right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna (ground level), Koni (above left) and Saner (above right).

Tuna inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna

Tuna inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna

Tuna representing SIK (crew) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna representing the SIK crew.

Ekler (left) and Tuna (right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler (left) and Tuna (right). Visible above are throws by Hems (left) and Shake (right).

Narc inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Narc

Korb inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Korb

Lith inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lith

Geser inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Geser

Aper inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aper

Sunz inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Sunz

Naimo at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Naimo (writing “Ghost”).

Lyfer piece at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer

Getsa inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Getsa

Shrek One tribute to Jacques Parizeau inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shrek One tribute to Jacques Parizeau.

Ekler (ground) and Serum (above) at the abandoned ‘Jailspot’
Ekler (ground level) and Serum (above).

Serum inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Serum

EK7 (left) and Hope (right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
EK Sept (left) and Hope (right). Visible above is a tag by Daym.

EK Sept (top), Hope (bottom left) and Sunz (bottom right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
EK Sept. Scroll up for shots of the Sunz and Hope pieces seen beneath.

Ofusk inside the abandoned “jailspot”
Ofusk

Pito inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Pito

Oskar inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Oskar

Nixon inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Nixon

Dope? inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dope

Arek inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Arek

Dekor (letters) and Hesan (creature) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor (letters) and Hesan (creature).

Hesan inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Hesan

Two forms of Dekor inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Two forms of Dekor on sides of the window. Tags above are by Sunz (in black) and Nybar (in blue).

Dekor (left) and Rizek (right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor (left) and Rizek (right).

Talk inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Talk

E2 – the car showroom

general view of the “car showroom” inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the car showroom. Scroll down for close-ups of the Geser car and the Merp and Raker pieces seen at the back.

Geser inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Geser

Algue representing 203 inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Algue representing 203.

Pro inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Pro

Someone representing VC inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Someone representing the VC crew.

Lyfer piece at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer

Block inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Block

Faboo inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Faboo representing Ten Yen.

Aces inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aces

Aner inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aner

Merp (top) and Racer (ground level) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raker (ground level) and Merp (above).

Merp (top) and Verse (ground level) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Same spot, earlier shot: Verse (ground level) and Merp (above).

E3 – the central room

general view of the central area and room of the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the central room, with the back side of the car showroom on the left.

Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor

Skor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skor

Aces inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aces

Bewet inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bewet

Neak inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Neak

E4 – the warehouse

general view of the warehouse inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the warehouse (sorry for the blurry shot, it’s the only one I have). Scroll down for a close-up of the few visible pieces in this shot.

Shok at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok

Narc at the abandoned ‘Jailspot’
Narc

Skam at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Skam

Dekor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor

Dekor at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor

Dekor inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor

Neak (top left), Bwet (top right) and Dekor (bottom) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor (ground level), with Neak and Bwet above.

Singe inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Singe. Tags on the right include those of Dekor, Bewet, etc.

Ecler at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler, plus a yellow tag by Bewet.

Rizek inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Rizek

Bwet inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bewet

Oskr inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Oskar

Meth inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Meth

Gypsr inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gypsr, perhaps with someone else.

Dypsr? inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gypsr

E5 – the offices

Ekler in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler

Ecler in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler

Veto in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Veto

Ecler throw in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler throw.

Rizek in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Rizek

E6 – the end room

Bask and Part in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bask and Part. Two red tags by Shok above.

Big throw by Etos in the abandoned “Jailspot”
Big throw from Etos, plus red tags by Shok.

Eastern building – outside walls

general view of one of the building of the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the end of one of the buildings. Scroll down for close-ups.

Scaner throwie at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Throw from Scaner.

Lyfer piece at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer

Lyfer (ground level left), Cler (ground level right) and Balis (above) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer (ground level left), Cler (ground level right) and Balis (above).

Lyfer, Babar, Sneak, Venise at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer and Babar at ground level, Sneak and Venise above right.

Lyfer throw at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer

Lyfer throw at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer

Ekes outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekes

Tuna representing the SIK crew (ground level), Balis (top left) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Tuna representing the SIK crew (ground level), Balis (top left)

Shok outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok. Tags by Getsa and Gnius above.

Nixon at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Nixon

Nixon outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
What’s left of an old Nixon piece.

Bosny outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bosny

Reebok aka Logre outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Reebok aka Logre.

Reebok aka Logre outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Reebok aka Logre.

Gnius outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gnius

Gnius outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gnius

Gnius outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gnius

Raker outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raker

Kzam (bottom left), Jaws (bottom right), Ecler (yellow) and unidentified artist (text and prisoner) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Kzam (bottom left), Jaws (bottom right), Ekler (yellow) and anonymous artist (text and prisoner).

Wase (top left), Jaws (top right), Rescue (bottom left) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Wase (top left), Jaws (top right), Rescue (bottom left)

Getsa outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Getsa

EK Sept outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
EK Sept. Tags by Mesk (black) and Venise (white) above.

EK Sept outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
EK Sept

Oper outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Oper

Fiefo outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
This reads Fofo but I’m quite sure it’s Fiefo.

Ecler outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler

Kelen (left) and Shake (right) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Kelen (left) and Shake (right)

Clast outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Clast

Pares (ground level), Arows (above) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Pares (ground level) and Arows (top).

Some (ground level) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Some (ground level)

Obes outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Obes

Mastrocola (2 colour swirls), Hitem (yellow throw) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Mastrocola (2 colour swirls), Hitem (yellow throw).

unidentified artist outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Unidentified artist.

unidentified artist outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Unidentified artist.

Sceak (character), Bask (top tag) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Sceak (character), Bask (top tag).

Eastern building – roof pieces

Lyfer piece on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer

Lyfer piece on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Lyfer

Ekes on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekes

Ekes on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekes

Algue on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Algue

Bosny on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bosny

Aloke on the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aloke

Western building

the “Jailspot”, Western building, street view 2016
Street view from Henri-Bourassa, 2016. Also visible on the right is a corner of the Eastern building.

W1 – the long room

general view of the long room of the western building at the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the long room. Scroll down for close-ups of the various pieces visible in this shot.

Shok (ground level) and Crops (above) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok (ground level) and Crops (above)

Fruit(left), Epos (middle) and Crack (right)
Fruit (left), Epos (middle) and Crack (right); red tag by Guest bottom left.

Dekor (left) and Crack (right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Same spot, later: Dekor (left) and Crack (right).

Crack (left), Ecler (right) and Duke (above) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Crack (left), Ekler (right) and Duke (above).

Ecler inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler on garage door, with partial view on the inner courtyard. Partially visible above are a throw and tag by Blek.

Hitem inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Hitem

Gaist/Guest inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gaist/Guest

Cuh? inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Cur?

Daym inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Daym

Uzem inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Uzem

Scek inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Scek

W2 – the small room

Aper (bottom left), Sunz (bottom right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aper and Sunz.

Nixon (ground piece), Scaner (above tag) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Nixon, with a blue tag by Scaner above.

Deser inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Same spot, later: Deser.

Ensor inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ensor

Jinx inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Jinx

W3 – the medium room

Apashe at the abandoned ‘jailspot’
Apashe

Nixon at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Nixon

Vogue inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Vogue

Gnius inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gnius, plus tag by Rake above.

Raker inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Rake

Raes inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raes

Raes inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raes

Peace inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Peace

Alber inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Alber

Ekual (ground level) and Arow (above) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekual (ground level) and Arow (above).

Feez inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Feez

W4 – the courtyard

general view of the inner courtyard of the western building at the abandoned “Jailspot”
General view of the inner courtyard. Scroll down for close-ups of the various pieces.

Stare inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Stare

Shok inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Shok

Monk.e piece at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Monk.e

EK Sept (bottom left), Kelen (top left), Zion (top right) and Sunz (bottom right) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
EK Sept (bottom left), Kelen (top left), Zion (top right) and Sunz (bottom right).

Ekler at the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler

Ekler inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler

Ecler inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Ekler

Dekor inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Dekor

Rake inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Rake. Tags by VC‘s Owk and Sunz above.

Gnius (top left of door), Blek (right of door), Arose (very top) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Gnius (top left of door), Blek (right of door), Arose (very top)

Jaws (ground level) and Bane (above) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Jaws (ground level) and Bane (above).

Aper throw inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Aper

Scaner (blue) and Crops (yellow) inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Scaner (blue) and Crops (yellow).

Taike inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Taike, plus a tag by Owk in black on the right.

W5 – the annex

Bane inside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Bane

Western builing – outside walls

Raker (ground level), Gnius (middle) and someone for SPK (above) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raker (ground level), Gnius (middle) and someone for SPK (above).

F.One outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
F.One in small and large formats.

Kzam (ground level), Bane (above left), Duke (above right), Shake (top right) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Kzam (ground level), Bane (above left), Duke (above right), Shake (top right).

Smog outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Smog

Rake (left), Ecro (right) outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Raker (left) and Ecro (right).

Aero throw outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
A throw by Aero and a tag by Kelen.

KC Neuf outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
KC Neuf

Someone representing YU8 outside the abandoned “Jailspot”
Someone representing YU8.

8 thoughts on “The “Jailspot””

  3. Magnifique article, merci beaucoup d’avoir pris le temps d’assembler le tout! Ça fait chaud au coeur de voir que des gens carent et archivent ce merveilleux travail.
    J’ai quelques photos supplémentaires, si ça vous intéresse!

    Reply

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