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| Former Hole & Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur will be at the opening of her AGO exhibit on September 9th. |
Here's the scoop from the Art Gallery of Ontario
From acclaimed Canadian musician Melissa Auf der Maur comes a photographic love letter to the last analogue decade. As bass player for iconic ‘90s alternative rock bands Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins, Auf der Maur toured the world, documenting life backstage, onstage, and in the crowd, amassing a personal archive of more than 10,000 images. These intimate photographs celebrate the independent spirit of the ‘90s, offering an insider's view of the decade before smartphones and digital recording. Presenting a selection of more than 200 photographs, the exhibition stands as a moving self-portrait of a young artist living through the ‘90s music scene, a time capsule of Generation X and a reference for future generations. The exhibition is co-curated by Sophie Hackett, AGO Curator of Photography and Jim Shedden, AGO Curator, Special Projects & Director, Publishing.
Writes Melissa...
"2026 is the year of unveiling and unearthing of my archives from the last analog decade (aka my music x soul activation).
"My 90s rock memoir, come photographs exhibit and book, come soundtrack, come MORE AKA SUBSTACK.
"I’m a pro-human, pro-analog, photographer, bass player, mother, believer - and in honor of this significant year of unveiling, I’ve created a new place where the stories can expand: never before told secrets, memories, photographs, journals, playlists, pilgrimages, conversations, and more yet to be discovered and found along the way.
"My ’90s Rock Photographs book and exhibit finally makes its way into the world this September, but *** only 220 images from my 15,000 photographic archives are included in the book / exhibit *** so as you can imagine, there is many more where that comes from.
"For those who wanna go deeper, come find me…
"For my NEW NEWSLETTER, head to the link: https://www.xmadmx.com/
"Grateful for the innate desire within to share, and for your willingness to witness out there,"
xMx
Melissa Auf der Maur: My ‘90s Rock Photographs is organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario, and will be accompanied by a 240-page hardcover companion book by Melissa Auf der Maur, Sophie Hackett and Jim Shedden with contributions from Grace Elizabeth Hale, Kevin Moore, Ann Powers and Michael Stipe.
MY ‘90s ROCK PHOTOGRAPHS:
EXHIBITION OPENING AND PHOTO BOOK LAUNCH
Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 6 pm to 9 pm
Walker Court, Art Gallery of Ontario
Free with general admission to the AGO
Following a hugely popular and sold-out visit to Toronto in March with her memoir Even the Good Girls Will Cry (Da Capo Press), artist and musician Melissa Auf der Maur returns to the AGO to open her exhibition, Melissa Auf der Maur: My ‘90s Rock Photographs, and launch her photography book.
Remarks begin at 7 pm, with the artist and curators in attendance. In order for your book to be signed, they must be purchased from the Shop (we may ask for proof of purchase). Photo books will be available for pre-order online, in-person at the exhibition satellite shop, and at the event in Walker Court. Purchase of a photo book does not guarantee access to the book signing. Book signing is on a first-come, first-served basis, with a dedicated lineup starting at 6 pm. Space will be limited.
For more info about the event, visit the AGO site right here. Watch Melissa's entertaining interview with Nardwuar and her chat with Billy Corgan below.
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