This autumn, the Art Gallery of Ontario invites visitors to step into the vibrant world of 1990s alternative rock through a deeply personal lens. Melissa Auf der Maur: My ’90s Rock Photographs opens September 2, 2026, presenting more than 200 photographs, videos, and installations that document life inside one of music’s most influential eras.

The exhibition highlights the photography of Melissa Auf der Maur, best known as the bass player for legendary alternative bands Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins. During years of global touring, Auf der Maur carried a camera everywhere she went, capturing candid moments backstage, on stage, and in the crowds. Over time, she built a remarkable archive of more than 10,000 photographs.

A Personal Lens on the ’90s Music Scene

Born and raised in Montreal, Auf der Maur studied photography at Concordia University before her music career took off. Determined to continue creating visual art while touring, she embraced a do-it-yourself approach to photography.

Armed with simple point-and-shoot cameras, Polaroids, and lo-fi video equipment, she documented the realities of life on the road. Film was often developed at roadside one-hour photo labs between concerts, giving her the ability to review and organise her images in real time.

The result is a striking collection of raw and spontaneous images. Motel rooms, tour buses, empty highways, rehearsals, and backstage encounters all appear in the photographs, revealing the intimate and unfiltered reality behind the era’s celebrated music scene.

Self-Portraits and the Spirit of a Generation

A key theme of the exhibition is self-portraiture. Long before selfies became part of everyday culture, Auf der Maur was documenting herself constantly—at home, travelling, preparing for shows, or recovering from the physical demands of touring.

These images place her work within a broader artistic tradition. Curator Sophie Hackett notes that Auf der Maur’s photographs echo the introspective practices of feminist artists such as Francesca Woodman and her former professor, Raymonde April.

At the same time, the photos capture the powerful presence of Courtney Love, lead singer of Hole, offering a nuanced portrait of one of the decade’s most complex figures in rock music.

A Time Capsule of the Alternative Era

The exhibition acts as a visual time capsule of a transformative moment in music culture. The photographs capture the energy of live performances, the connection between musicians and audiences, and the shifting landscape of the music industry as independent scenes became increasingly commercialised.

Visitors will also see facsimiles of the small plastic photo albums Auf der Maur carried with her on tour. These albums served as her travelling archive, carefully curated while moving from city to city.

Some of the images were originally commissioned for music publications, including SPIN, documenting major events such as Lollapalooza and the Tibetan Freedom Concert.

An Immersive Finale

The exhibition concludes with a new immersive installation titled Bass Womb Room (2026). This 360-degree multimedia environment blends sound, images, and original music created by Auf der Maur. Designed to evoke both the electrifying energy of performing on stage and the introspective solitude that follows, the installation offers visitors a sensory glimpse into the dual life of a touring musician.

Plan Your Visit

Melissa Auf der Maur: My ’90s Rock Photographs opens to AGO Members on September 2, 2026, followed by Annual Passholders on September 5 and the general public beginning September 8. The exhibition will remain on view until June 2027.

Admission to the AGO is always free for Ontarians under 25, Indigenous Peoples, Members, and Annual Passholders.

For music lovers, photography enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the cultural pulse of the 1990s, this exhibition promises an unforgettable journey through art, sound, and memory.