“It’s taken on a life of its own,” says Ralph Alfonso, co-founder of BBAM! Gallery. Or was it his partner Alison Rogers who said it? The couple is sitting in the café corner of the art gallery/vinyl store/performance venue. Alison and Ralph try not to finish each other’s sentences when they tell the story of how they created BBAM! Gallery, a musical, artisanal, pop culture curiosities cabinet in Montreal’s St. Henri neighbourhood.
Officially speaking, BBAM! Gallery stands for Bongo Bee Art and Music, Ralph’s indie label. But it’s also a pop art kind of expression. “You know it when you see it,” say Ralph and Alison, referring to the selection process for the gallery’s art.
And if you’re wondering, you can pronounce the second B or leave it silent
The curating process at BBAM! Gallery usually starts with people. “We had a live concert event and these two girls showed up and I felt that I had to know them!” explains Alison. “They turned out to be great painters — one from New York and one from Montreal — Zofia Bogusz (NYC), Alysha Farling (MTL). Now we are organizing the next upcoming art show for them!“
