Ottawa 
Visit Byward Market to experience the controversial Freedom Convoy through the lens of Montreal-based photographer Paul Ozzello.
Paul Ozzello
The Freedom Convoy protests saw hundreds of truckers from across Canada at the foot of the Ottawa Parliament Buildings, Windsor, Coutts and other locations across Canada to protest against COVID-19 restrictions.
The 50 polaroid exhibition, “Fringe” at Art+ Galerie showcases a more personal perspective on the truckers by Ozzello and is a collection of portraits, hand-crafted black and white carbon prints based on Polaroid originals.
Ozzello in a news release said, “I left for Ottawa apprehensively after hearing reports of violence and white extremists. However, when I arrived on the scene, I realized how different things really were. People were friendly, everyone was smiling and laughing like I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic.”
Stating that each Polaroid highlights an engaging story about the reason why participants came to the protest, he said, “I felt the truckers represented the stress Canadians had accumulated during the pandemic. While I don’t agree with all their beliefs, I think a lot of them stem from a government that has been severely lacking in transparency.”
The photography exhibition runs from January 26 to February 9, 2023.
You can meet Paul Ozzello during the opening reception starting at 5 pm on January 26th and chat with him to learn why chose to stay for three weeks, meeting and connecting with the people of the Convoy.
Trip Planning – “Fringe” an Ottawa Freedom Convoy Photo Exhibition
Paul Ozzello
What: This striking collection of photographs captures the recent Freedom Convoy protest in downtown Ottawa, offering a unique and thought-provoking look at the events dominating the headlines over the last year. The Polaroid images convey the right mood of the protest and create a timeless aesthetic that worked with the rough and rugged look of the truckers. You can even notice whimsical frost etchings on some of the prints’ edges from the film development.
When: Exhibition Dates: Jan 26 – Feb 9, 2023
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 26 | 5 pm – 10 pm
Where: Art+ Galerie, 531 Sussex Dr 531 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S6
How much: free
While there may have been a few incidents of harassment, this was not typical if those participating in the convoy. Most were respectful and legitimately fighting against the erosion of our rights by totalitarian government policies. I look forward to seeing the exhibit. When governments cross a line into oppression and totalitarian policies, it is important to have citizens willing to push back. We must never again allow pointless lockdowns and forced experimental vaccines to happen in Canada.
Any photos of these muppets harassing my daughter? my wife? both of my neighbours? my friends elderly mother in law? – all women, for wearing a mask? I wore a mask downtown – they didn’t bug me. Of course I’m a 6’2″ male. Real hero’s this bunch. These were very ignorant very easily manipulated people. All stuck in the same social media algorithm.
How many of the photos are of the convoy people harassing queer people and women, and people of colour? How many of them berating staff at the Rideau so they were fearful of the violence that they might be subjected to? How many were of the convoy mob attacking a homeless centre to demand food? And of the old people and ordinary workers stuck in their homes in Centretown, unable to sleep because the noise they were subjected to was unbearable?