Lyfer, one of the most active writers in the 203 Crew, is known to do some canvas/gallery art, but streetwise is he strictly a graffiti artist. He is one of those artists who constantly reinvent themselves and don’t stick to only one style of writing. He explores, experiments and often surprises. Not only is he very talented, but he is also incredibly prolific. To give you an idea of the size of his body of work, know that the gallery below, despite being quite extensive, only features a fraction of the work Lyfer has left in our streets, alleys and abandoned spaces over the past few years.

For more photos than what is featured here, or if you are curious about his studio work, check out his Instagram and Tumblr pages.

Lyfer, un des graffeurs les plus actifs du crew 203, pratique la peinture sur canevas, mais dans la rue il ne fait que du graffiti. Une de ses forces est de savoir toujours se réinventer et de ne pas se limiter à un seul style. Il aime explorer, expérimenter et surprendre. Il n’est pas que très talentueux, il est aussi très prolifique. Pour donner une idée de sa présence dans nos rues, ruelles et espaces abandonnés, sachez que la galerie-photo ci-dessous, bien que très garnie, ne présente qu’une fraction de ce que l’artiste a créé au cours des dernières années.

Pour en voir plus que ce que je présente ci-dessous, ou si vous êtes interéssé par son travail en studio, jetez un coup d’oeil à ses pages Instagram et Tumblr.

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burners and other big graffiti pieces

Pieces in this section are shown in approximate reverse chronological order, so the most recent are at the top.

Les pièces de cette section de la galerie sont présentées en ordre chronologique inverse, de la plus récente à la plus vieille que j’ai photographiée.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

Contribution to the 2020 edition of Mural Festival.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In Villeray.

Inside an abandoned tunnel.

Lyfer’s piece on the 203 Crew wall for the 2019 edition of Canettes de Ruelle.

One more for the 2019 edition of Canettes de Ruelle, this time in solo.

Lyfer on letters and a Borrris work-in-progress above, with input by Ekes and Trak on glasses and background. This is one frame of a stop motion video, the Lyfer name piece only existed a few minutes before being painted over to prepare for the video’s next frame.

In an empty lot.

Contribution to the tribute wall to Scan done for the 2019 edition of Mural Festival.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

Out of a dark underground.

In an abandoned building.

In a Hochelaga alley.

Close-up on Lyfer’s letter piece within the 203 crew wall for the 2018 edition of Canettes de Ruelle. Scroll down to the ‘contribution to multi-artist murals’ section below to see the full wall also featuring Borrris and Ekes.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In the basement of an abandoned industrial building.

On an abandoned warehouse.

In Petite-Patrie.

In a Plateau graffiti alley.

In the Plateau.

In Hochelaga.

On an abandoned house in the Plateau.

On a 203 Crew wall in Hochelaga.

At the abandoned Montreal Hippodrome.

At the abandoned Montreal Hippodrome.; comment above is by “Snob”.

On the roof of the abandoned Montreal Hippodrome.

At the abandoned Montreal Hippodrome.

At the abandoned Montreal Hippodrome.

Lyfer (top) and Ekes (ground) for Chats de Ruelle (Canettes de Ruelle 2017).

In Hochelaga.

In Hochelaga.

In Hochelaga.

Lyfer’s part in the 203 crew wall at the Festival de Canes in Longueuil.

Lyfer (top letters), Rove (ground letters) and Opire (croc) in Hochelaga.

In Hochelaga.

In Hochelaga.

On an abandoned warehouse in Hochelaga.

In an abandoned industrial lot.

In an abandoned industrial lot.

Off-Mural Festival 2017 work by Ekes (top) and Lyfer (ground level) in a central graffiti alley.

Lyfer (left) with Ekes (right) from a 203 jam around a Plateau block.

Lyfer (top) with Nstor (ground level) from a 203 jam around a Plateau block.

Another one by Lyfer near the above two pieces.

In Rosemont.

At the abandoned Montreal Hippodrome.

In an abandoned warehouse.

On train side.

From a winter production on Ile Notre-Dame.

In Hochelaga.

On the roof of an abandoned building in Hochelaga.

Inside an abandoned building in Hochelaga.

Lyfer (letters) and Awe (back) on truck done during the 2016 edition of the Hip Hop You Don’t Stop festival.

Lyfer (top) and Ekes (ground) in Hochelaga.

In an abandoned place.

For the Plaza Walls event in Petite-Patrie.

Lyfer’s part in the 2016 Amalgam Festival in Sherbrooke.

The 203 crew wall for the 2016 edition of the Under Pressure Festival featuring, from top to bottom, Lyfer, Ekes, Naimo and Sener, with baseball player by Arnold.

Lyfer (ground) and Janek (top) in Hochelaga.

2016 off-Mural piece in the alley between St-Laurent and Clark.

In Hochelaga for Ekes’ 2016 birthday bash.

Lyfer on letters and Cryote on character for the 2016 Sun Youth front wall multi-artist production.

On the side wall of a Plateau carwash.

At the abandoned Montreal Hippodrome. Lacking a roller, Lyfer splashed paint on the wall to create a background then drew the outline of his letters over it.

In a Montreal suburb.

Trackside Lyfer.

At the abandoned Montreal Hippodrome.

On a rundown building in the industrial East.

At the abandoned Montreal Hippodrome.

At the Papineau legal graffiti wall.

On a bridge pillar.

On the abandoned Canada Malting plant.

In a narrow St-Henri alley.

In the abandoned Transco.

In the abandoned Transco.

In the abandoned Transco.

Lyfer (left) and Ekes (right) in the abandoned Transco.

In the abandoned Transco.

In the abandoned Transco.

In the abandoned Transco.

In the abandoned Transco.

In the abandoned Transco.

Beneath a highway in an industrial part of town.

Lyfer (left) and Ekes (right) at the legal graffiti tunnel on de Rouen.

In the abandoned Transco.

Lyfer (left) and Opire (right) at the legal graffiti tunnel on de Rouen.

At the abandoned “Jailspot”.

In an empty lot in the Eastern part of Montreal.

Truck side letters by Lyfer with rats by Bosny.

On the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”.

On the roof of the abandoned “Jailspot”.

Lyfer and Babar (bottom) with throws and tags by Sneak and Venise above, at the abandoned “Jailspot”.

Near the PSC legal graffiti wall. Throws seen above are by Bank and Owk.

In an Hochelaga-Maisonneuve alley.

In Old Montreal.

In the alley between St-Laurent and Clark. Seen above is a piece by Waxhead.

On an abandoned building in the eastern part of town.

At the abandoned “Jailspot”.

At the abandoned “Jailspot”.

In the alley between St-Laurent and Clark.

Lyfer’s part from a collaboration with Arose in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

Hitem (bottom left), Lyfer (bottom right) and Crane (above) near the PSC legal graffiti wall.

On a wall in Rosemont where graffiti is tolerated.

Next to the legal graffiti tunnel on de Rouen.

In Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

At the PSC legal graffiti wall.

At the abandoned “Jailspot”.

On a semi-official wall in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

In Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

Beneath a highway in industrial Montreal.

On a garage wall in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

Trackside piece.

Beneath a highway in an industrial part of town.

In Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

This is presumed to be by Lyfer representing his 203 crew. Other artists around are unidentified.

In a Hochelaga-Maisonneuve alley.

Inside the abandoned Omnipac building on the corner of Van Horne and Parc (now gone).

This multi-artist wall in St-Henri features Lyfer (top) above, from left to right, Cens, Opire (character), Awe, Five Eight and Juice Funk.

In an empty lot in the eastern part of town.

Lyfer (top) and Nybar (below) in an alley in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

Deep (left) and Lyfer (right) in an abandoned building.

On a Plateau wall.

In Ville-Marie.

Lyfer (left) and Algue (right) in an empty lot in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

Under some bridge.

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contribution to multi-artist murals

Pieces in this section are shown in approximate reverse chronological order, so the most recent are at the top.

Les pièces de cette section de la galerie sont présentées en ordre chronologique inverse, de la plus récente à la plus vieille que j’ai photographiée.

Lyfer and Ekes for the 2019 Lachine graffiti jam.

This 203 crew wall for the 2019 edition of the Under Pressure Festival was done by Lyfer, Ekes, Opire, Arnold, Borrris and Trak, with tags by Trak, Phare, Hitem, Yesir, Masek and guests Axe Lalime, Soma and Peau.

The 203 crew wall by Borrris, Lyfer and Ekes for the 2018 edition of Canettes de Ruelle. Scroll up to the ‘graffiti’ section above for a close-up on Lyfer’s letter piece.

The 203 crew wall for the 2018 edition of the Under Pressure Festival features Lyfer alongside Ekes, Arnold, Borrris, Flying Eric, Opire and Algue.

The 203 Crew wall at the Estival de Canes 2018 features Lyfer alongside Flying Eric, Arnold, Borrris, Ekes and Algue.

The 203 crew wall for the 2017 edition of the Under Pressure Festival. The 203 Invader with the munchies is by Opire and the one with the giggles is by Arnold and Borrris. The top letters – actually numbers – are by Naimo, the ground ones by Ekes and all the wraparound is by Lyfer and Ekes plus probably a few more 203s…

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throws

This section is meant to show throw-ups by Lyfer, but as you can see from the gallery below, the artist rarely contents himself with just a flat outline + fill. There’s almost always a bit of 3D depth given to his outlines.

Le throw est une pièce de graffiti rapide consistant généralement en un simple contour avec une seule couleur de remplissage. Lyfer ne peut se contenter de si peu pour les siens; comme on peut le voir dans la galerie ci-dessous, il ajoute souvent un peu de profondeur à ses pièces rapides en élaborant ses contours.

In Rosemont.

With Inca in a Plateau alley.

More than a simple throw, in an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

In St-Michel.

In Mile Ex.

Trackside.

In an empty lot in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

In Hochelaga.

At the abandoned “Jailspot”.

In NDG.

At the abandoned “Jailspot”.

In Petite-Patrie.

In Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

With Sekel on the abandoned Canada Malting Plant.

Kelen (top) and Lyfer (bottom) inside an abandoned building.

In industrial no-man’s land.

Algue representing the 203 crew (left) and Lyfer (top right) under a bridge.

Beneath highway.

In Rosemont.

On an abandoned warehouse in Hochelaga.

At the abandoned Montreal Hippodrome.

In a Plateau back alley.

In empty lot east of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

In an abandoned building.

Next to the legal graffiti tunnel on de Rouen.

Trackside in Outremont.

In Parc-Ex.

In NDG.

In industrial Montreal.

In empty lot in Eastern Montreal.

In Petite-Patrie.

In Little Italy.

In a Plateau alley.

In a Plateau alley.

Off a roof in the fashion district.

On Mont-Royal street as part of a street festival.

In an abandoned building.

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tags

A hollow and a tag.

Lyfer is presumed to have done this little 203 piece next to his tag.

Lyfer (left) and Seek (right).

With Phare.

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stickers

This is just a selection of all the Lyfer stickers that I have found over the past few years. The majority are sticker-tags, although I have occasionally found more elaborate ones such as the first few specimens shown below.

La gallerie ci-dessous ne présente qu’une sélection de la grande quantité d’autocollants de la main de Lyfer que j’ai trouvés au fil des années. La grande majorité sont à toutes fins pratiques des tags collés. Il m’est arrivé d’en trouver quelques uns plus élaborés, tels que les spécimens figurant en tête de liste ci-dessous.

Here is a spotlight on the artist Dré, better known as Earth Crusher, the character he created.

Even the people around me who pay no or very little attention to public art have noticed Earth Crusher, that odd character with a transmitter head found on a number of murals produced around Montreal over the past few years. Created by Dré, this character is inspired by the unscrupulous political and financial leaders of today’s world. In fact, Dré has pushed the concept further than the mere portrayal of Earth Crusher on murals. He has been known to make public appearances disguised as his aggessively capitalist character, in suit, tie and transmitter head. He has also slipped into the skin of his character to give interviews.

The photo gallery below features mainly Earth Crusher murals and pieces, but because he comes from the world of graffiti, it also includes his work as Dré. To learn more about Dré and Earth Crusher, or to view many more photos than what is featured here (including studio/gallery and non-Montreal work), see earthcrusher.com. As Dré/Earth Crusher is also part of the Ashop collective, you will find more material at ashop.ca and on the collective’s Instagram page.

Voici un profil-photo de l’artiste montréalais Dré, mieux connu sous le nom de son personnage Earth Crusher.

Les gens autour de moi qui ne portent pas ou que très peu attention à l’art urbain ont tout de même remarqué ce curieux personnage à tête d’émetteur radio qu’est Earth Crusher, la vedette de plusieurs murales apparues à Montréal au cours des dernières années. Créé par l’artiste Dré, ce personnage est inspiré des leaders politiques et financiers sans scrupules qui mènent le monde d’aujourd’hui. L’artiste a poussé l’idée d’Earth Crusher plus loin que la simple représentation murale. Il apparait à l’occasion en public costumé en Earth Crusher, donc en veston-cravate et arborant cette tête d’émetteur radio. L’artiste donne aussi à l’occasion des entrevues dans la peau de son personnage.

La galerie ci-dessous présente surtout les oeuvres d’Earth Crusher, mais comme Dré est issu du monde du graffiti, on y retrouve aussi quelques pièces sous son nom d’origine. Pour en apprendre plus sur Dré et Earth Crusher, et pour voir beaucoup plus de photos que ce qui est présenté ici (incluant des oeuvres de studio/gallerie ou son travail hors de Montréal), voir earthcrusher.com, ainsi que la page Instagram de l’artiste. Et comme il fait partie du collectif Ashop, vous êtes aussi invités à jeter un coup d’oeil à ashop.ca et la page Instagram du collectif.

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murals and other painted pieces

Pieces in this section are shown in approximate reverse chronological order, so the most recent are at the top.

Les pièces de cette section de la galerie sont présentées en ordre chronologique inverse, de la plus récente à la plus vieille que j’ai photographiée.

In Hochelaga.

In an abandoned warehouse.

In an abandoned warehouse.

Five Eight (writing ‘Soma’) and Earth Crusher, on a Plateau End rooftop. See below for a close-up.

Same as above, but a close-up.

On the side wall of a Plateau café/restaurant.

In Rosemont.

With Serak on letters, from a big K6A crew jam in the South West.

On the side wall of a Plateau café/restaurant.

In an abandoned building.

For Ashop, downtown Montreal.

Part of a huge production in a recessed parking space in the Plateau.

From a K6A jam in St-Henri.

For the Scan You Rock mega-jam in April 2017 in the South West.

In upper Plateau, from the same production of the two below.

In upper Plateau, from the same production of the one above and the one below.

In upper Plateau, from the same production of the two above.

With letters by Senk in a central Montreal alley.

Five Eight (left) and Dré (right and reaper drone in the middle) for Plaza Walls.

On the side wall of a Plateau café/restaurant, with Ether.

An off-Muralfest piece in a central graffiti alley.

See a brief making of video of the above piece by Greg Pistol.

In someone’s private backyard.

In Rosemont.

Earth Crusher’s contribution to the unofficial Silver Beach Jam in Rosemont.

Earth Crusher and Five Eight on a Plateau garage door.

Representing Ashop for one of the 2015 editions of the VHS – Van Horne Station block parties.

A door in Plateau End leading to the roof piece seen below.

Earth Crusher with letters by Five Eight doing Soma’s name (because the spot was originally his).

Earth Crusher between Five Eight (top) and Skor (bottom) for the 2015 edition of the Under Pressure Festival. Also visible above is an older piece by Serak.

Representing Ashop for the 2015 edition of Mural Festival.

On the side wall of a Plateau café/restaurant.

Earth Crusher’s contribution to a K6A wall in St-Henri.

Contribution to one of the 2015 Chromatic block parties.

Painted barrels made to look like Pabst beer cans for one of the 2015 Chromatic block parties.

Dré with Five Eight for the 2014 edition of the Under Pressure Festival.

Five Eight (letters) and Earth Crusher (character) in the basement of an abandoned industrial building.

At the legal graffiti tunnel on de Rouen with Zek to the left. Also visible in this shot are Lyfer, Penar and Acro.

Ashop wall downtown featuring Fleo and Dré.

Dré, Dodo Osé and Ankh One for Ashop in Ahuntsic.

Squeezed in between letters by Scaner and end characters by Axe Lalime.

At the Cabot x Gilmore walls.

Earth Crusher/Dré with Five Eight for the 2013 edition of the Under Pressure Festival.

One of two billboards for the 2013 edition of the Under Pressure Festival (see other below).

One of two billboards for the 2013 edition of the Under Pressure Festival (see other above).

Dré aka Earth Crusher and Five Eight in an abandoned building (left half).

Dré aka Earth Crusher and Five Eight in an abandoned building (right half).

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graffiti / letters

Pieces in this section are shown in approximate reverse chronological order, so the most recent are at the top.

Les pièces de cette section de la galerie sont présentées en ordre chronologique inverse, de la plus récente à la plus vieille que j’ai photographiée.

In an abandoned warehouse.

In Hochelala.

This detail of the Scan You Rock tribute wall to Scaner shows Dré’s part. Click on the latter link to view the complete wall.

With Five Eight above for the Estival de Canes 2018.

Fuser (left), Dré on letters and Nick Sweetman (right) in Hochelaga.

With Nick Sweetman on wasp in a Plateau alley.

With Fleo on the left, under an expressway (pieces unfortunately slightly damaged by machinery in this shot, sorry).

Back of truck for the 2017 edition of Hip Hop You Don’t Stop.

Dré on side and Bryan Beyung on back of truck.

For the Chemin Vert block party.

In upper Plateau.

Dré (bottom centre) at the legal graffiti tunnel on de Rouen.

Dré’s contribution to the 2015 edition of the Lachine graffiti jam. Notice the little Earth Crusher character on the right.

Dré (bottom left), Nems (bottom right) and Sec (above) at the legal graffiti tunnel on de Rouen.

In Parc-Ex.

In the alley between St-Laurent and Clark.

Pieces by Five Eight and Dré in the abandoned Canada Malting Plant.

In an abandoned building.

In an abandoned building.

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throws and tags

Earth Crusher character on a temporary Ashop wall, surrounded by tags from both Earth Crusher and Dré, as well as Zek, Fluke, Ankh One, etc.

Tags by Earth Crusher, Dré and Nus III (?).

A flop on a building awaiting demolition.

These two tags were found next to his contribution to the 2015 edition of the Under Pressure Festival. In between is a tag by Five Eight.

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stickers

Although he is mentioned under both his monikers on this sticker, it is not clear if Dré/Earth Crusher had anything to do with its creation and distribution.