Aging and beauty

About

Discipline: Photography

Location: Parc Saint-Laurent (8000 boul. Saint-Laurent)

Description : Arianne Clément’s photos celebrate aging from a luminous and inspiring angle. Through her portraits of seniors, she highlights the intimacy, diversity, sensuality and richness of intergenerational ties, deconstructing age-related stereotypes and prevailing ageism.

With a master’s degree in photography from the University of the Arts London, Arianne Clément has since devoted her art to seniors. She has travelled the world in search of stories and taken part in numerous humanitarian projects with marginalized people. Recipients of numerous awards and honors, and exhibited worldwide, Arianne’s photos are recognized for their sensitivity and boldness, thanks to the complicity she creates with her models.

Website : https://www.arianneclement.com/

Find out more about some of our photos

Out of poverty

Here’s a photo of 80-year-old Diane with her daughter Parize and great-granddaughter Adélie. Diane is a source of inspiration and hope for anyone struggling with a substance abuse problem, and she’s proof that you can get through it, no matter what your age.

“I started living eight years ago. Previously, my life had been one of instability and misery. I’ve experienced homelessness, drug addiction, prostitution, violence and organized crime. My life has always been rock and roll. By the time I was 50, I’d moved 50 times because I wasn’t paying my rent. But it was after I turned 50 that I fell into the streets and experienced total decline. I’m amazed I’m still alive.

Here, in a nutshell, is my story. When I was 17, I went skating with a friend in Montréal. I drank alcohol for the first time in my life and a man took the opportunity to rape me. I got pregnant and my abuser’s parents, as well as my own, forced us to get married. The first time I saw my attacker was on our wedding day. After five years of enduring my husband’s barbarities, I decided enough was enough and took refuge in a convent with my baby. My other children were placed in foster homes, and then foster families.

Then I met another alcoholic with whom I had a child. I gave this child up for adoption because I wanted him to have the chance of a normal life with good parents. After that episode, I “went rumba” and never stopped. It was a grueling life and I don’t think I’ll ever recover from all the traumas I experienced, especially those inflicted on me by men. I’ve been beaten and raped countless times. Never again will I let a man into my life.

At the age of 72, while sleeping on a church stoop and addicted to crack cocaine, I became seriously ill and was hospitalized. The hospital staff helped me find a place in a nursing home. I’ve been sober ever since. It’s a miracle. To those struggling with substance abuse and their families, I’d like to say this: with a sincere desire and hope, it’s possible to get through it, even in old age.

Today I’m fine. I’m safe. I take care of myself. I don’t want to go back to where I was. I want to live, to see my children, my grandchildren and my great-granddaughter, Adélie (pictured), who has just been born. My days are calm, peaceful, quiet. I read personal growth books, watch Top Modèle religiously, listen to the radio, take baths and enjoy dark chocolate. I don’t need anything more.

My eldest daughter, Parize, comes to see me regularly, and we go to the family counter to find little treasures, then have a coffee at McDonald’s. I savor every moment with her, because our time is short. I savor every moment with her, because our time is short. Parize has been fighting cancer for two years, and a few weeks ago I was told that I too have cancer. So we have to live one day at a time.

Rest at last

Until recently, Monique, 91, and Lionel, 95, lived together in a seniors’ residence (RPA). Two months ago, Monique had to be transferred to a CHSLD located about 200 meters from Lionel’s RPA. She takes things in her stride and feels she finally has “time to rest”.

Several times a day, with the help of his cane, Lionel slowly crosses the distance that separates him from Monique, taking several breaks along the way. Every time he arrives at the CHSLD, he kisses Monique on the lips and she lights up. Here’s what she has to say about her life in CHSLD:

“I’ve always worked non-stop. In addition to my work as a teacher and postmaster, I did everything myself. I sewed my children’s clothes (they got new ones every Christmas), knitted, wove and made quilts. On the farm, I milked cows by hand at first, then with a milking machine. I made hay, had a large vegetable garden and made preserves. I did everything! It’s because I’ve worked so hard that I enjoy living here at the CHSLD. It’s good for me to rest. It’s quiet here. I don’t have to wash the dishes or do the laundry anymore. Time passes slowly and there’s no rush. My husband and children visit me every day. What more could you ask for?”

Sisterly complicity

At the photographer’s request, sisters Anita, 90, and Janet, 89, played along and reproduced the photo of their solemn communion. Eighty years have passed between the two images. Everyone had a good laugh during the photo session, and this image is a wonderful testimony to the good humor, mischief and complicity between the two sisters.

Coming from a working-class background, the Champagne sisters, like many women of their time, worked tirelessly and endured much adversity and bereavement. Anita explains:

“I had to jump from the second floor to save my family. We found ourselves naked on the street, with no money, no job, nothing. A few days later, one of my sisters was killed in an accident. Later, the hotel where my father worked went up in flames. Five people were caught in the fire and died, including my father. At another point, my sister Janet’s baby was sick and died in my arms. Another of her children was killed by a horse…”.

With characteristic resilience and humor, Anita adds:

“When I see young people worrying about nothing, I say to myself, poor child, hardship doesn’t kill you. The proof? I’m 90 years old! She also observes that women’s lives are easier today: “Fortunately, things have changed for the better; women are autonomous, they have money, and can make choices. We used to find it hard to buy a pencil to write with. We were completely dependent on our husbands and submissive.”

Janet adds:

“As for me, I raised my 10 children and my life went by day after day, one chore after another. I always worked hard, from morning to night. I cooked a lot, both for the children and for the visit. I never bought pies, cakes or preserves; I made everything myself. The house was always full of people, and I received relatives several times a year. Only once did I take a vacation with my husband and realize that I preferred being at home. Despite the endless work, it was a good place to live.”

“Today my husband has passed away, but I’m lucky enough to still live in our beautiful home. There are many things I can no longer do, but I try to keep busy. The important thing is to enjoy the little things like birds, flowers, cats, family and strawberry-honey sandwiches. Above all, never stop laughing and having fun!”

A nice little beak

Raymond, 95, and Lise, 87, are still living in their home, thanks to the help of their children and the many resources available in their municipality. The situation is worrying, however, as Lise’s health and independence are declining, leaving the couple uncertain about their future.

Raymond recounts:

“During my studies, I had very little free time, but I still went dancing with Lise at the Balmoral in St-Hilaire. We loved waltzes, boogie-woogie and slow dances. She was so beautiful that when we went dancing, the guys would pat me on the back and say, “Lucky bastard!”

“At first I dated her to get back at a girl who’d given me the cold shoulder, but in the end I couldn’t get enough of her, so I married her and she’s been putting up with me for 68 years! I never forget to end the day by giving her a nice little peck. It often ends up in a fit of giggles”.

Lise recounts:

“When I first met Raymond, he impressed me because he had studied accounting at the HEC, whereas I had no education. He came from a family of 15 children, and every one of them was educated. He was funny and a joker. We had a lot of fun and he was a lovely sparrow… ”

“Then we got married and I became a housewife. It wasn’t easy raising a family. The work never ended: cleaning, washing, patching, cooking, shopping, discipline… In the morning, before school, you could have sworn a tornado had passed through my kitchen!”

“In spite of everything, I’m blessed because my children loved each other and they still do. There’s no bickering at home. And now that Raymond and I are old and a bit banged up, they help us enormously so that we can be comfortable and live in our house as long as possible. They are devoted and generous.

Couple of sextons

This photo of 85-year-old Paul-Émile, his wife Noëlla, and their granddaughter Christine was taken in front of the Acton Vale church. This location is not insignificant for the couple, as Paul-Émile and Noëlla are deeply religious and very involved with their parish.

Here’s what Noëlla tells us: “We were 14 children and as we were farmers, we worked a lot. It never stopped. I’ve hardly ever sat down! Today, I’m a sacristan at the church, where I’ve taken my husband’s place, and a volunteer at the reception center five days a week. There’s a lot to do. Before the pandemic, we had 40 volunteers; now we’re down to five. The pandemic has been terribly difficult for us. Thirty-seven of our residents died, out of a total of 64. Can you imagine what that means?

“I take care of my husband Paul-Émile, who is losing his independence. It’s sometimes complicated to manage everything, but we manage to get organized thanks to the help of my granddaughter Christine and various resources at the CLSC. My husband and I raised Christine. Her mother had problems and we lost touch with her. At the age of 14, Christine found her through Claire Lamarche’s show. Unfortunately, her mother passed away a few months later.

“We lived in different parts of Quebec for my husband’s work, and I learned to get by. When we lived in Montréal, I worked in reception classes for new arrivals. I took care of the children of the boat people. It was a wonderful experience.

Paul-Émile adds: “I went to public school until my twelfth year. I then went to boarding school at Collège du Mont-Sacré-Cœur in Granby because I wanted to become a priest. I was six months short of graduating and my father ran out of money to pay my tuition. So I left college at 25 and went to work in a factory before taking a surveying course.

I’m very religious and always have been. As a child, I was a mass server. When I retired, I became a beadle and got very involved in the church. A year ago, I fell and broke my ankle. Since then, my condition has worsened. I’m often mixed up and I’ve had to stop working and driving. Losing my independence is hard to accept. I don’t like being a burden on others.”

Dominican heat

Xiomara, a 68-year-old Dominican beauty, and her husband, Richard, spend half the year in Quebec and the other half in the Dominican Republic. They have grandchildren in both countries and are very involved with them. The family unit is important in the life of the Dominicans, who maintain very close ties with its members.

This is Xiomara’s story:

“I was born in San Juan de la Maguana. My father had ten children with four different wives. It may seem surprising, but polygamy is common in my country. I had a good childhood because I have a natural joie de vivre. When I was 15, I went to live with an aunt and her husband, who were wealthy and paid for my training at a beauty school. I then opened my own hairdressing salon and have always supported my mother, brothers and sisters financially. I also adopted one of my sisters. When I was 26, I met my husband Richard on a beach. I wasn’t particularly attracted to strangers, but he was persistent and proved to me that he was a family man. I was adamant about my independence and there was no way I was going to stop working. I’m a hard worker and I’ve been independent all my life.”

“For a long time, I didn’t want to accompany my husband to Quebec because of the Canadian cold. Now that he has health problems, I don’t want to spend a minute without him. Our love is greater than ever. Sometimes we make mistakes and argue, but we’re a strong couple. I have everything I need here: a family, friends, music, dancing, good moods, love. I’m not at all materialistic, so that’s more than enough for me. I adapt to the people here and they adapt to me. I’ve always worked with the public and I love interacting with people. When I go shopping at the market, customers are sometimes surprised when I offer candy to their children. It’s not unusual for me to return from the supermarket with new friends I’ve met along the way. I bring a bit of Dominican warmth to La Belle Province!”

The Amazons

Legend has it that the Amazons cut off their right breasts to improve their archery skills and protect each other. Their survival, after all, depends on their ability to look after each other. In the same way, Françoise, Marilyn and Ruth, all breast cancer survivors, teach us that nothing is more important than sisterhood in coping with the ordeal of cancer.

In Greek mythology, the Amazons are a society of warrior women, whose existence is often fantasized. They suggest a sorority made up of strong, emancipated women, whose cohesion depends on the friendships and emotional bonds they forge with each other. Although this myth has been called into question by several historians on the basis of a misinterpretation, the Amazons of legend are said to have cut off their right breast. They would do this to improve their archery skills and protect each other. Their survival therefore depends on their ability to look after each other.

In today’s mythologies, breast cancer survivors in turn attain the status of fighters, and can be considered as Amazons of the modern era. The nature of the battle is different: their enemy is pernicious and invisible. And yet, their courage, willpower, fighting spirit, and perhaps most of all, the support they offer each other, have nothing to envy their legendary counterparts. This battle is a physical one, against the enemy within, but also a struggle for emancipation. It’s about fighting for your life and survival, thinking for yourself, making decisions and taking action, without trying to please others. It was also their ability to look out for each other that helped these three great friends get through the ordeal of cancer.

Grandma cake

This photo was taken on Lorraine’s 80-year-old woodlot. In the photo, Lorraine is accompanied by her grandchildren, both adopted from Haiti.

“My daughter and her partner couldn’t have children, so they started adoption procedures. It was a long process, but seven years ago they were able to find a brother and sister couple in Haiti. When they arrived in Quebec, Marylis was six and Éloik was five. The first time I met them was in a park, two weeks after their arrival. They were shy and didn’t understand our language, but they smiled at me and took my hand.”

“Since then, they’ve adapted very well. They both speak perfect French and are doing well at school. They’re great sportsmen, and they’re both on a soccer team. Marilys has character; she likes to do things her own way. She took dance classes and sings all the time. Éloik makes friends wherever he goes. His nose is always immersed in a book. He loves cars, Meccanoes, Rubik’s cubes and chess.

“Several times a year, my husband and I spend weekends with them, or they come to spend a few days with us. We go on lots of little outings and play board games. One of our traditions is to eat soft-serve ice cream in Old Quebec. Another is to eat raclette at Christmas. I always make them their holiday cake and bake them date squares, muffins and cookies. I’m really what you’d call a cake grandma! I love being a grandmother to adopted children. I love them as much as if they were my own. I’m not really worried about their future, because they’re very resourceful. I just wish them happiness.