On 9 September 2017 the Montreal graffiti community lost one of its greatest writers, a “king” to use an expression from that world. The news of the death of the artist working under the aliases of Alex Scaner, Scaner or simply Scan, following a long battle with cancer, spread like wildfire.

In his mid-thirties, Scaner was one of Montreal’s first great graffiti artists. In the days following his death, hundreds of writers from Montreal and around the world as well as many street artists took to social media to pay homage and to express their respect for their brother, their chief, their king, the one who had been such a great influence on their own artistic development.

Scaner, alongside his brothers in the KG, DA and TFB crews (to name just a few), has helped shape the Montreal graffiti scene, give it its style and make it shine outside Montreal. Internationally known, he has worked alongside many of the greatest names of Canadian, American and European graffiti. He has also invited many of the best international writers to Montreal, thus creating networks for himself and his artistic family.

In just 20 years, this prolific artist has created hundreds, even thousands of burners, throws and tags. Given the ephemeral nature of the artform many are now gone but, thanks to the internet, they will live on and continue to influence the upcoming generations of graffiti artists. Only time and the elements will gradually chip away at what is left of his art in our streets, alleys, parks, offices, businesses and abandoned buildings, as the artist commands so much respect within the world of graffiti that no one would dare go over his work.

History will remember Scaner. When the negative taboos associated with the vandal origins of this artform drop and art historians study the artists who will have defined our era, Scaner will be remembered as the one who was taken too soon, but still left an immeasurable legacy.

The local and international artistic communities did not wait for Scaner’s passing to recognize his influence and express their love and respect. After the news broke out in the Spring of 2017 that the artist hadn’t much time left, his closest crewmates and friends got together and organized tribute productions (such as Scan You Rock). As well, hundreds of pieces created in Montreal, Toronto, New York, Barcelona, etc. have since been dedicated to him.

Following his departure tributes have been coming in even greater numbers. Scaner may be gone, but his star will go on shining brighter and brighter…

For more information on Scaner and for more photos of his work, check out his personal webpage as well as Facebook and Instagram. Production CanDo is in charge of the legacy of the artist.

Related posts:

Tributes to Scaner

Scan You Rock tribute wall

Scan You Rock production

Time Is Gold

Le 9 septembre 2017 la scène montréalaise du graffiti perdait un géant, un king, pour utiliser un terme du milieu. La nouvelle du décès de l’artiste connu sous les pseudonymes d’Alex Scaner, de Scaner ou Scan, suite à une longue bataille contre le cancer, s’est répandue comme une onde de choc.

Dans la mi-trentaine, l’artiste était un des premiers très grands noms du graffiti à Montréal. Les jours suivant son décès, des centaines de graffeurs montréalais et internationaux ainsi que plusieurs artistes du milieu du street art sont sortis dans les médias sociaux pour affirmer leur amour, leur respect et leur désarroi face à la perte de leur frère, de leur chef, de leur king, de celui qui avait été une de leurs plus grandes influences.

Scaner, aux côtés de ses frères dans les crews KG, DA ou TFB pour n’en nommer que quelques uns, a contribué à façonner la scène montréalaise du graffiti, à lui donner son style et la faire rayonner hors de Montréal. De notoriété internationale, il a exercé son art aux côtés des plus grands du monde du graff canadien, américain et européen. Il a aussi invité de nombreux graffeurs d’ailleurs à Montréal, établissant de ce fait de nombreux contacts et réseaux pour sa famille artistique.

En tout juste 20 ans, l’artiste prolifique a créé des centaines, voire des milliers de burners, de throws, de tags. Étant donnée la nature éphémère de cette forme d’art plusieurs de ces pièces sont maintenant disparues mais, grâce à l’internet, elles continueront d’influencer les générations de graffeurs à venir. Et il ne fait pas de doute que seul le temps et le climat auront raison de ce qui reste de sa main dans nos rues, ruelles, parcs, bureaux, commerces et édifices abandonnés, puisque l’artiste commande un tel respect que personne du milieu n’oserait repasser sur ses oeuvres.

L’histoire se rappellera de Scaner. Quand les préjugés négatifs dûs aux origines vandales de cette forme d’expression artistique tomberont et que les historiens d’art s’intéresseront aux artistes qui auront marqué notre époque, on se rappellera de Scaner comme celui qui est parti trop tôt mais qui a tout de même laissé un legs immense.

La communauté artistique locale et internationale n’a pas attendu son départ pour reconnaître son influence et lui exprimer son amour et son respect. Depuis que la nouvelle s’est répandue au printemps 2017 qu’il ne lui restait que très peu de temps, elle s’est mobilisée et a mis sur pieds quelques méga-productions (telles que Scan You Rock) en son honneur. De plus, des centaines de pièces créées par ses pairs à Montréal, Toronto, New York, Barcelone, etc., lui ont été dédiées.

Et depuis son départ ces hommages se sont multipliés. Scaner n’est plus, mais son étoile continuera de briller de plus en plus…

Pour plus d’information sur Scaner et pour voir plus de photos de son oeuvre, visitez sa page personnelle ainsi que ses pages Facebook et Instagram. Production CanDo est en charge de la promotion de l’héritage artistique de Scan.

Articles connexes:

Hommages à Scaner

mur hommage Scan You Rock

production Scan You Rock

Time Is Gold

graffiti pieces

Scaner on letters, filled by Stare and Zek, with Harry Bones on the left. From the Time Is Gold prod

This was Scaner’s final piece. He left only an outline, it was filled in by his brothers in KG, Stare and Zek . Bear on the left is by Harry Bones . From Time Is Gold , Scaner’s last production.

Scaner in the Plateau

In the Plateau.

Scaner for a Mile End block party

This one was done during a block party in Mile End.

Scaner in Rosemont

In Rosemont.

Scaner in upper Plateau

In upper Plateau.

Scaner in Hochelaga

In Hochelaga.

Scaner’s part in the Scan You Rock jam celebrating him

Scaner’s part in the Scan You Rock jam celebrating him.

Scaner in a central Montreal alley, for Art Gang.

In a central Montreal alley.

Scaner in the Plateau

In upper Plateau.

Scaner in Wynwood, Miami

In Wynwood, Miami.

Scaner piece in Hochelaga

In Hochelaga.

Scaner chrome in upper Plateau

In upper Plateau.

Scaner on de Rouen

Next to the legal graffiti tunnel on de Rouen

Scaner (left) and Kemr (right) on Cabot graffiti wall

Scaner (left) and Kemr (right) at the Cabot x Gilmore walls

Scaner near Aird

In Hochelaga.

Monk.e (left), Scaner (right letter) and Axe (right character) in Hochelaga

Scaner chrome in Rosemont

In Rosemont.

Scan in Rosemont

Heating up Rosemont.

Scaner in Hochelaga alley

In a Hochelaga alley.

rooftop piece by Scan in Petite-Patrie

Rooftop burner in Petite-Patrie.

Scaner piece in the Plateau

Well hidden in the Plateau.

Scaner piece in the Plateau

Well hidden in the Plateau.

Scaner in upper Plateau

Well hidden in the Plateau.

Scaner piece in upper Plateau

In upper Plateau.

Scaner at the JDM Silverjam

In Rosemont.

Scaner piece inside gym of an abandoned school

In the gym of an abandoned school.

Scaner piece inside gym of an abandoned school

In the gym of an abandoned school.

Scaner in Wynwood, Miami

This piece dated 2014 was found in Wynwood, Miami.

Scaner graffiti in Hochelaga

In Hochelaga.

Scaner piece found in NDG

In NDG.

Under Pressure Festival 2013 featuring Ether (middle letters), Scaner (bottom letters), Axe (bottom left), Serak (top letters) and Hsix (right)

Scaner (bottom centre), Serak (top), Ether (middle letters), Axe (left characters), and Hsix (right character) contributing to the 2013 edition of the Under Pressure Festival

Scaner (top) and Hsix (bottom) graffiti in Hochelaga alley

Scaner (top 2) and Hsix (bottom) in a Hochelaga alley.

Scaner graffiti on abandoned warehouse

On an abandoned warehouse.

Scaner graffiti in upper Hochelaga back alley

In a upper Hochelaga back alley.

Scaner in Town of Mount Royal

In Town of Mount Royal.

Scaner graffiti at Chromatic Festival 2015

At the 2015 Chromatic block party.

Scaner piece on Mont-Royal

On Mont-Royal.

Scaner piece above LNDMRK offices

Above the LNDMRK offices.

Zek (left letters), Axe (cat) and Scan (right letters), in Ville-Marie

In Ville-Marie. The cats are by Axe and the letters on the left by Zek

Scaner piece in Pointe St-Charles

In Pointe St-Charles.

Scaner piece in Pointe St-Charles

In Pointe St-Charles.

Scaner graffiti by train tracks

By train tracks.

trackside piece by Scaner

Trackside.

Scaner inside abandoned building

Inside an abandoned building.

Scaner graffiti in back of industrial building

At the back of an industrial building.

Scaner graffiti on wheels

Scaner on wheels.

Scaner on truck side

Another truck side.

Scaner on side and Bryan Beyung on back

Another Scaner on truck. The back of the truck is by Bryan Beyung

Scaner on truck side

One more truck side.

truck painted by Scaner for the 2016 edition of Mural Festival

K-Way promo for the 2016 edition of Mural Festival

truck painted by Scaner (doing Dodo Osé’s name) for the 2016 edition of Mural Festival

Opposite side of the above truck for K-Way at the 2016 edition of Mural Festival , doing the name of Dodo Osé (who did the back side of the truck).

En Masse’s contribution to the 2013 edition of Mural Festival featuring Dan Buller (tennis player), Five Eight (central letters), Scaner (top letters), Waxhead (head on the left), Beeforeo (below Five), Nixon (bottom)

Scaner graffiti by train tracks

By train tracks.

letters by Scaner (bottom) between hissing cats by Axe, Feka and Peur (middle) and wheatpaste by Lovebot (top), by train tracks.

Graffiti by Feka, Peur and Scaner, with a Lovebot wheatpaste at the top and hissing beasts by Axe

Scaner on letters and right character, Morz on left character in a downtown inner courtyard

Scaner on letters and right character, with Morz on left character, in a downtown inner courtyard.

Scaner (letters) and Axe (creatures) in Petite-Patrie

Scaner (letters) and Axe (creatures) in Petite-Patrie.

Scaner in Petite-Patrie

Trackside piece in Petite-Patrie.

Scaner graffiti in Hochelaga park

In a Hochelaga park.

Scan in an abandoned building in the South West

In an abandoned building in the South West.

Scaner (text), Earth Crusher (central figure) and Axe (end figures) in abandoned industrial building

Scaner (writing), Earth Crusher (central character) and Axe (end figures) in an abandoned industrial building.

Scaner graffiti in Griffintown

In Griffintown.

Scaner graffiti on abandoned warehouse

On an abandoned warehouse.

Scaner doing Hoacs’ name at the PSC legal graffiti wall

Doing Hoacs ‘ name at the PSC legal graffiti wall

Scaner in an abandoned building

In an abandoned building.

Scaner in Mercier

In Mercier.

Scaner in a NDG / Cote des Neiges alley

In a NDG/Côte des Neiges alley.

Scaner in a NDG / Cote des Neiges parking lot

In a NDG/Côte des Neiges parking space.

Scaner in a NDG / Cote des Neiges alley

In a NDG/Côte des Neiges alley.

Scaner on the Plateau

In the Plateau.

Scaner graffiti on the Plateau

Another one in the Plateau.

Shok (below) and Scaner (above) in the Plateau

Above Shok in the Plateau.

Scaner graffiti piece in Centre-Sud

In Centre-Sud.

Scan on a multi-artist wall in TMR

In TMR.

Scaner graffiti piece in Centre-Sud

In Centre-Sud.

Cems (top left), Scan (top right), Sage (bottom left) and Smak (bottom right) on this classic DA wall in Rosemont

Cems , before he switched to Ether (top left), Scan (top right), Sage (bottom left) and Smak (bottom right) on this classic DA wall in Rosemont.

SCaner in Old Montreal

In Old Montreal.

Scaner graffiti on Clark

This worn out piece off Clark was covered with something new in 2014.

Scaner graffiti within Astro mural. Visible in the middle is a wheatpaste by Graffiti Knight.

Scaner in the middle of a wall by Astro and Zeus. The wheatpaste in the middle of all this is from Graffiti Knight

Scaner graffiti (detail) in NDG

Right half of a piece in NDG (sorry, left half is missing).

Scaner graffiti in Rosemont-Petite-Patrie

This piece in Rosemont-Petite-Patrie is dated 2004!

Scaner graffiti

On roof edge visible from Papineau.

Scaner graffiti on roof

Another roof edge, this one on St-Laurent.

Rooftop piece by Scaner at the abandoned Transco

More rooftop, this one at the abandoned Transco

Rooftop pieces by Scaner at the abandoned Transco

More rooftop action at the abandoned Transco

Scaner graffiti by train tracks

Next to train tracks in Mile-End. Also visible at the top is a paste-up by Turtle Caps

Scaner graffiti in Petite Patrie

In Petite-Patrie.

Scaner graffiti (top) and piece by unidentified artist (bottom) beneath expressway

Under an expressway. Artist at the bottom is unidentified.

Scaner & Sewk graffiti

Pieces by Scaner and Sewk visible from train tracks in Rosemont.

Scaner graffiti

In Hochelaga.

Scaner in Parc-Ex

In Parc-Ex.

Scaner graffiti (top) beneath bridge

Under an overpass in Ville-Marie.

Scaner graffiti

In a Plateau back alley.

Scaner on St-Laurent mid-level roof

On a St-Laurent mid-level roof.

Scaner throw in upper Plateau

In upper Plateau.

Scaner in abandoned industrial building

In an abandoned industrial building.

Scaner graffiti

By train tracks.

Scan throw in Barcelona

This throw was found in Barcelona.

Scaner graffiti in Hochelaga

In Hochelaga.

Scaner graffiti

In Hochelaga.

rooftop throw by Scaner

Rooftop throw.

In Mile End.

rooftop throw by Scaner

Rooftop in Hochelaga.

Smak and Scaner graffiti

Smak and Scan over St-Laurent.

Scaner and Zek on a Décarie rooftop

Scaner and Zek on a Décarie rooftop.

graffiti by Stare and Scaner on d’Iberville

Stare and Scaner on d’Iberville.

throw by Scaner in Mile End

In Mile End.

throw by Scaner in Mile End

Same Mile End spot as above.

Some train track work.

Scaner throwie

In Petite-Patrie.

Under an expressway.

Scaner in an abandoned building

In an abandoned building.

Scaner in an abandoned building

One for the crew in an abandoned building.

On an industrial buiding.

Scaner graffiti in alley between St-Laurent and Clark

In the alley between St-Laurent and Clark

large Scaner throw in Hochelaga

In Hochelaga.

Scaner graffiti in Rosemont

In Rosemont.

Scaner throw in Pointe St-Charles

In Pointe St-Charles.

Scaner graffiti

More industrial work.

throw by Scan

Throw in Rosemont.

Scaner graffiti

Tag and throwie.

Scaner throwie and tag found inside an abandoned school

Throwie and tag found inside an abandoned school.

Scaner throwie found inside an abandoned school

Throwie found inside an abandoned school.

Scaner throwie found inside an abandoned school

Throwie found inside an abandoned school.

Scaner throwie in Mile End

Throwie in Mile End.

Scaner graffiti

On closed restaurant awaiting demolition on Sherbrooke.

Scaner graffiti

In Hochelaga.

Scaner graffiti

Two-for-one throws.

Industrial Hochelaga.

Scaner throwie at the abandoned “Jailspot”

At the abandoned “Jailspot”

Persue (left) and a throw by Scaner (right) in a Plateau alley

Throw in a Plateau alley next to a piece by Persue dedicated to the man.

Scan throw in the Plateau

In the Plateau.

Scaner in alley between St-Laurent and Clark

In the alley between St-Laurent and Clark

Scan in an abandoned building in the South West

In an abandoned building in the South West.

trackside throw by Scaner in Verdun

Trackside in Verdun.

Scaner graffiti on the Plateau

On the Plateau.

Scaner graffiti in Petite Patrie

In Petite-Patrie.

Scaner and Awe graffiti in Graffintown

murals and mural pieces

Fading away in Griffintown. Also visible below is a throw by Awe

Scaner and Axe contribution to the 2014 edition of the Mural Festival

KG crew featuring Scaner and Axe contributing to the 2014 edition of Mural Festival

KG contribution to the 2014 edition of the Mural Festival

Another angle of the above piece for the 2014 edition of Mural Festival

graffiti mural by Scaner in lower Mile End

Presumably Scaner’s longest commissioned piece, found in a Plateau End alley.

graffiti mural by Scaner in lower Mile End

Above piece seen from the other end.

graffiti mural by Scaner in lower Mile End (detail)

Same alley as above, middle detail.

Scaner and Stare in Old Montreal

With Stare in Old Montreal.

mural in Hochelaga Maisonneuve by Scaner, Axe and Stare

Scaner, Stare and Axe in Ville-Marie.

Commanded piece by Scaner on restaurant side-wall in the village

Commissioned work on restaurant sidewall in the Village.

Scaner on door in the Fashion District

In the fashion district.

scaner ‘logo’ and throw in upper Plateau

In upper Plateau.

Commissioned piece on garage door by Scaner and/or Axe

This unusual work on Aird, like the one below, is by Scaner and/or Axe

Commissioned piece on garage door by Scaner and/or Axe

tags

Tall tag by Scaner

tag by Scan in an abandoned building in the South West

tag by Scan in an abandoned building in the South West

Scaner tag

Scaner tag on door

Scaner tag

Scaner tag

This unusual work on Aird, like the one above it, is by Scaner and/or Axe

tags by Scaner and Axe

Scaner tag

Scaner tag found inside abandoned school

Scaner (top) and Axe (bottom).

Scaner tag on the move

Scaner tag on the move.

Scaner tag found in Mile End

Scaner tag

Scaner tag

Scaner tag

tag by Scaner

Applying for a job with Garbage Beauty

Scaner tag

Don’t adjust your screen focus.

Scaner tag

Scaner tag

Scaner tag on Mont-Royal

tag by Scaner

Making you dizzy?

Scaner tag on fence

On fence

Scaner tag on fence

On fence

Scaner bubble flop

Bubble flop

drips by Scaner

Scaner tag

tag by Scaner

tag by Scaner

tag by Scaner

tag by Scaner

tag by Scaner

tag by Scaner

tag by Scaner

tag by Scaner in Old Montreal

tag by Scaner in Mile End

Drips

poster altered by Scaner

Mr Can Do

Intervention on someone else’s wheatpaste.

Scaner piece on an abandoned garage

On the abandoned George General d’Auto Reparation

Scaner pieces on the Plateau

Plateau back alley.

Scaner piece in Griffintown

Sleeping dogs should check their backs, in Griffintown.

Scaner piece next to the Chromatic 2015 zone

In the upper Plateau.

Scaner reserving his spot in an alley off St-Laurent

In an alley off St-Laurent.

Scaner piece above LNDMRK offices, and a diamond by Le Diamantaire

Above the LNDMRK offices. Also visible is a diamond by Le Diamantaire

Scaner above the LNDMRK offices

Another one above the LNDMRK offices.

Rooftop twins by Scaner

Rooftop twins in upper Plateau.

Scaner ‘heads’ with graffiti by unidentified writer, on abandoned warehouse

Scaner (in red and black) interspersed with graffiti by an unidentified writer on an abandoned warehouse in Hochelaga. This is actually a detail, the wall goes on and on like this.

Scaner piece in alley between St-Laurent and Clark

In the alley between St-Laurent and Clark

Scaner piece in alley between St-Laurent and Clark

In the alley between St-Laurent and Clark

Scaner off St-Laurent roof

Off a St-Laurent roof.

Scaner in Petite-Patrie

In a Petite-Patrie alley.

Scaner at the abandoned “Jailspot”

At the abandoned “Jailspot”

Scaner piece inside gym of an abandoned school

Inside an abandoned school.

Scaner on an abandoned garage

On the abandoned George General d’Auto Reparation

Worn out piece by Scaner on the Plateau

Scaner in an abandoned building

Worn out piece on the Plateau

Scaner

Scaner tag

wheatpastes and paste-ups

Found near the Cabot x Gilmore walls

Scaner poster

Scaner wheatpastes

Scaner wheatpaste and tag

This one was found on the George General d’Auto Reparation

wheatpastes by Ether and Scaner

Wheatpastes by Ether and Scaner.

wheatpaste by Scaner

This one was found on the George General d’Auto Reparation

Scaner wheatpaste in alley between St-Laurent and Clark

This one was found in the alley between St-Laurent and Clark

small Scaner paste-up near Place d’Armes metro

Tag paste-up in Chinatown.

Scaner paste-up

Throwie paste-up in Chinatown.

Scaner paste-up found in Chinatown

Throwie paste-up in Chinatown.

Scaner paste-up found in Chinatown

Throwie paste-up in Chinatown.

Scaner paste-up in Chinatown

stickers

Scaner sticker

Scaner sticker

Scaner sticker

Scaner sticker

Scaner sticker

Scaner sticker

Scaner sticker

Throwie paste-up in Chinatown. Also visible is a sticker by Ether

Scaner sticker tag

Sticker tag.

Scaner tag on sticker

Sticker tag.

Scaner tag on sticker

Sticker tag.

Scaner sticker tags

Related

Sticker throwies on the George General d’Auto Reparation