When it comes to Canada, not much is known besides Justin Bieber and Celine Dion. But for those who want to look beyond the cliches, Montreal is where it’s at for arts and culture. Montreal-based Mexican artist and photographer Damián Siqueiros, who sowed at the Galerie Youn booth of the FotoFever art fair in Paris this weekend, has a knack for capturing the creative spirit of Montreal.
The photographer, who has shot for VOGUE Mexico, has shot dancers in otherworldly scenarios – like Jerome Sordillon, a contemporary dancer from France who studied at the National Circus School of Montreal, in a gust of orange smoke.

Jerome Sordillon
Or his portrait of Alice Tran, a Montreal actress, knee deep in a Canadian lake. He also took a stunning portrait of Montreal artist and dancer Claudia Chan Tak, in a stunning jungle-like forest.

Alice Tran

Claudia Chan Tak
For the uninitiated, Montreal is likely the last affordable creative city in Canada, so these photos capture a moment in time that is bound to change in the future to come. Siqueiros quotes Dostoevsky when referring to his work.
“Dostoevsky said beauty will save the world,” and he plans to do the same, one image at a time.
Photo via Damián Siqueiros