PIZZA PUNK ARÉNA
May 15 – June 7, 2026

As part of the Montréal Comic Arts Festival, PAPEROLE invites you to discover the Pizza Punk Aréna exhibition by artist Benoit Tardif, presented in the PARI PASSU space.

The exhibition offers a dialogue between original works, limited-edition posters, and a selection of objects inspired by the world of the new book Pizza Punk Aréna, published by Édition Pow Pow. This graphic novel, partly autobiographical, is inspired by Benoit’s passion for hockey, punk music, and his childhood in the 1990s.

You are also invited to join us for the book launch and the exhibition opening, which will take place on May 15, 2026 at 5PM.

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🏒 Exhibition details 

🏒 Book Summary 

Pizza Punk Aréna
A book published by Éditions Pow Pow

“In the 90s, kids played hockey in the street or Super Nintendo in the basement, McDonald’s sold pizza, and Green Day released Dookie. It was a big decade for young Benoit, who grew up as best he could, often out of step.

From the arenas of his childhood to the Montreal concert venues of his teenage years, the author recounts his suburban youth spent tending goal, riding bikes, and listening to punk. In Pizza Punk Aréna, Benoit Tardif embraces narrative drawing with the same ease that Patrick Roy guards the Canadiens’ net.”

🏒 About Benoit Tardif

Benoit Tardif became an illustrator after studying graphic design at the Université du Québec à Montréal. His unique, bold, and colorful style is marked by a strong interest in screen printing and poster art. Over time, he has collaborated with The New York Times, the Montreal Canadiens, The Walrus, Joe Beef, and many others.

He has worked with Éditions de Ta Mère since 2006, becoming its art director and co-owner in 2010. Benoit draws every day while petting his cat and listening to punk rock.

🏒 About Éditions Pow Pow

Founded in 2010 in Montreal, Pow Pow is an independent publishing house that releases Quebec comics as well as selected favorites from elsewhere. It welcomes absurd comedy and intimate storytelling with equal enthusiasm. In terms of influences, Pow Pow sits at the crossroads of Europe and North America — of French- and English-language comics — much like Montreal itself

🏒 About Éditions de Ta Mère

🏒 About Full Room

Founded in 2020 by Montreal multidisciplinary designer Mathieu Leclerc, Full Room is dedicated to the revival of objects and furniture from the 1960s to today. Its evolving inventory features a collection of iconic pieces as well as lesser-known, even unknown, objects, with special attention given to designs distinguished by their ingenuity, inherent craftsmanship, or strange familiarity.

Curated by Jacinthe Pilote

For more information: bonjour@paripassu.ca

See the exhibition's online shop