Earth Crusher – Portrait of the artist and the man behind the machine

Nickie Robinson

7 years ago

Whether you call him Earth Crusher, Dré or simply Marc-André, for his friends, this man is one of the must-know artists on the Montreal scene.

Earth Crusher is a character. An immoral character created by the Montréal artist Dré. A pure invention. It represents the unscrupulous capitalist, shameless, imbued with itself, for whom the EARTH represents a quasi-stock investment.

I got the name Earth Crusher from the song Earthcrusher by Mr. Lif .

Through this character, the artist creates pieces to make people think about social and economic problems like the exploitation of man by man, the slavery, the wild development, the deforestation, the tobacco prodution and the list goes on.

Earth Crusher 2013 – ©Nickie Robinson

Downtown Montreal for @ashopcrew 2017 ©Earth Crusher

” I think Marc-Crusher took a machine back in time straight from the 50’s. He has come to spy on what has happened since to better conquer the world when he will return to his time. The environment of our time is far more stimulating for the capitalist robot that he is. ” – Dodo Ose

I was always into art as a child so when I met people who were painting with spray paint, I had to try it. – Marc-André

He started painting in 2003 on highways, tracksides and trains in the west neighbourhoods of Montreal. First with his friend Eric Clement who was writing “Syphs” and their friends Russ Jamz and Dekoy from the hip-hop style music band called Side C for which the artist was the drummer. Seaside stroll by Side C . He started painting freights with Hemp, Himz, Nus2, and Hazeo.

Then he mets Five Eight (or Five8) and since, they’ve continued painting together.

Collaboration with Five8 / Plateau Mt-Royal ©Nickie Robinson

My biggest influences are American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis, Propaganda by Ed Bernays, Wall Street (the movie), They Live (another movie) and The Kids In The Hall.

But the man is far from his creation. He is highly loved and respected by his peers.

ArtGang MTL 2016 ©Nickie Robinson

” He is a superior illustrator and has the best handstyles in the game. It seems that he excels at everything he touches; painting, drawing, hockey, target shooting, tinder, frisbee. There’s nothing this young man does that he doesnt absolutely slay. ” – Five8

” He is pretty much my favourite person. He’s super reliable and loyal to his friends. On top of that, he has a great sense of humour and is a real pleasure to be around and paint with. He loves cracking open a cold one with the boys. ” – Five8

The artist has 4 solo show to his credit. His last, in March 2016, at Artgang Montreal was a great success: “The Chosen One Percent”

“The Chosen One Percent” – Photo ©Nickie Robinson

Through the years, the artist collaborated with many of the main actors in the Montreal scene, such as A’Shop and as artist and muralist, he has participated in many collective shows as numerous public art events and festivals in Canada.