Exhibition Dates: October 17 – November 29 | Artist Appearance: October 25 | VIP Preview: 1:00 PM–3:00 PM | Public Opening: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM ET
For nearly four decades, Richard Beland has transformed the power of live music into timeless visual art. The acclaimed Canadian photographer — known for his unmatched ability to translate sound into image — unveils his latest exhibition, Our Immortal Stars, opening October 17 at Liss Gallery in Toronto. Running through November 29, this collection stands as both a retrospective and a celebration of the enduring spirit of music.
Beland’s photographs have long served as the visual memory of modern music — spanning explosive live shows and intimate studio portraits alike. His new exhibition highlights the depth and diversity of his career, featuring work that captures everyone from global icons to homegrown Canadian legends. Each image is a study in emotion, precision, and the invisible thread that connects performer and audience.
Since first stepping into the photo pit in 1986, Beland has built a career defined by patience, instinct, and an unerring eye for the decisive moment. His lens has immortalized acts such as Coldplay, The Tragically Hip, and countless others, resulting in an archive that bridges genres, decades, and generations.
Beland’s photography has appeared in leading publications including Rolling Stone, SPIN, Mojo, Kerrang!, People, and Maclean’s. His artistry has earned accolades such as a Juno Award nomination for Album Design of the Year and Canadian Country Music Award honours for his collaborations with Jason McCoy and Johnny Reid.
With more than 3,000 concerts captured — including over 100 shows by The Tragically Hip — Beland’s images have become part of the collective memory of live performance. He’s photographed 11 Glastonbury Festivals, 2 Woodstocks, and a long list of Lollapaloozas and Edgefests, cementing his place among the world’s foremost chroniclers of rock and popular music.
In a world dominated by smartphone snapshots and fleeting social posts, Beland’s work remains a masterclass in authenticity and technical excellence. His photographs don’t just document performances — they reveal the emotion and energy that define them. Each frame invites viewers to experience what it feels like to stand in the light, in the noise, in the moment.
Since 2007, Beland has also served as the official photographer for Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, where more than 200 of his prints line the backstage hallways and theatre lobby. This permanent collection stands as a living tribute to live music and Beland’s relentless pursuit of artistic truth.
Outside the photo pit, Beland continues to shape the future of visual storytelling as Program Coordinator of the Digital Photography Program at Lambton College, which he developed and designed. His teaching philosophy mirrors his craft: a blend of technical mastery, creative intuition, and total presence in the moment.
“When the lights go down, I’m completely in the music,” says Beland. “Every image should feel as alive as the sound — not just what it looks like, but what it feels like.”
Our Immortal Stars is more than an exhibition — it’s a living archive of sound, light, and emotion. Through Richard Beland’s lens, audiences are reminded that while songs may fade from the stage, their spirit remains immortal.
