Janet Morton

Janet Morton has been exhibiting across Canada and internationally since 1992. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, which playfully and critically examines our relationship to the natural world and everyday objects.

Morton uses knitting and sewing symbolically in her work as blatant low-tech metaphors. With equal measures of empathy and absurdity, Morton combines these stereotypically domestic techniques with reclaimed materials, and explores issues of consumption, value and time.

Morton was born in Toronto in 1963. She received an honours B.F.A. York University. Morton currently lives in Guelph Ontario.

Solo Exhibitions & Interventions
2018
2015
  • New Work, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
2013
  • sans vitesse, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
  • The Stack, Silence (commissioned by Musagetes), Guelph
2012
  • The Revelled Sleeve, MacDonald Stewart Art Centre, Guelph
2011
  • Tangled, Museum London, London
  • I could meet you on the other side, Elora Centre for the Arts, Elora
  • second, Queen Specific, Toronto
  • Unravelling: things are not as they used to be, Queen Specific, Toronto
2010
  • Fallout Shelter, LOLA, London
  • return, shift, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
  • Hive, Robert Langen Art Gallery, Wilfred Laurier University, Waterloo
2009
2008
  • Toque, Atrium of Cambridge Gallery, Cambridge
    • Better Homes and Gardens, Kitchener- Waterloo Art Gallery, Kitchener
2007
  • Overgrown, Mercer Union
  • Femmebomb, Nuit Blanche (outdoor installation), Toronto
2006
  • Thrive By, Richmond Art Gallery (outdoor installation), Richmond, B.C.
  • Full Circle, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
2005
  • RECAP, Canada Quay Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
2004
  • Femmebomb, School of Human Ecology Building, UW- Madison, Wisconsin
  • Janet Morton, Design Gallery, UW- Madison, Wisconsin
  • Four Season Tree, out door installation, Madison, Wisconsin
2003
  • Tending, Women’s Art Resource Centre, Toronto
  • Persistent Melody, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
2001
  • Colour Theory, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
  • woollen tree, Zsa Zsa, Toronto
  • Big Big Mitt & Work Sock, Koffler Gallery, Toronto
  • wool work, The Stratford Gallery, Stratford
2000
  • wool work, Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto
  • Cozy, Urban Installation- Trinity Square Park, Toronto
1999
  • Cozy, Ward’s Island Installation, Toronto
  • translate, Phoebe Street Project, Toronto
1998
  • Ascension of the Good Businessman, Window @ Mercer Union, Toronto
1997
  • Canadian Monument Show, Modern Fuel Gallery, Kingston
1995
  • Newsflash; Madame Defarge eat your heart out, Windows (488 Queen W.), Toronto
1994
  • Ascension of the Good Businessman, The Works Festival, Edmonton
  • The Invasion Project, Toronto
1993
  • Cardigan, Mercer Union, Toronto
Two or Three Person Exhibitions
2013
  • à toutes mailles!, Materia, Quebec City
2007
  • Wilderness Acts; Lori Blondeau, Rita McKeough & Janet Morton, Eye Level Gallery, Kejimikujik National Park, Nova Scotia
2006
  • Material Obsessions: Janet Morton & Evelyn Roth, Belkin Satellite Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
2005
  • Branded, Paul Petro Contemporary Art, Toronto
2002
  • Play Tonic; Janet Morton & Ed Pien, A Space, Toronto
  • Fabrication; Gillian Collyer, Janet Morton & Zoe Williams, Art Gallery of Edmonton, Alberta
1999
  • Dress Up; Fastwurms & Janet Morton, Art Gallery of Windsor, Windsor
1995
  • Knit; Naomi London, Jean MacRae & Janet Morton, Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto
Selected Group Shows
2018
2016
2011
2009
  • Screen 6, curated by Dave Dymment, VANOC Cultural Olympiad
2008
  • Beyond Knitting; Unchartered Stitches , San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, San Jose, California
2007
  • West Norway Museum of Art and Craft, Bergen Norway ( touring to Oslo& Arendal Norwayl)
  • Thread, Gallery of Fine Art Koroska, Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia
  • Embracing Winter, The Warehouse Gallery, Syracuse, New York
2006
  • Storefront, The National Gallery of Art, Ottawa
2005
  • Knit 2 together, Craft Council Gallery (touring England & Whales), London, United Kingdom
  • CAMP (sites), Museum London, London
2004
  • headspace, Holt Renfrew, Toronto
  • Art in the Garden, Michigan Ave., Chicago outdoor installation, Chicago, Illinois
  • zooarts Festival, Metro Toronto Zoo
  • Toronto Steam Whistle Art Award Winners Exhibition, Gallery 1313, Toronto
  • The Art of Art in the Garden, Chicago Tourism Center, Chicago, Illinois
  • Super Danish, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
  • Silver Memories,The Latcham Gallery, Stouffville
2003
  • Rogue Wave, Outdoor Installation, Toronto Island
2002
  • Dwelling Project, Optica, Montreal
  • One Touch of Nature, Out door Installation/ Gallery 96, Stratford
  • The Library Project, The Dunlop Gallery, Regina
  • Fibreworks, Cambridge Gallery, Cambridge
2001
  • I believe in the Good of Life, final show, West Wing Art Centre, Toronto
  • December, Cambridge Gallery, Cambridge
  • Saint Sebastian; A body caught up in representation, Justina Barnicke Gallery, Toronto
  • Do Try This at Home, Mount Saint Vincent University Gallery, Halifax
  • Annual Group Exhibition, La Cite Internationale des Arts, Paris, France
  • The Library Project, Five Rural Manitoba Public Libraries & Gallery 101, Winnipeg, Manitoba
2000
  • Changing Channels, Artists Gardens, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
  • Picturesque, Case Studies, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
1999
  • Lunch Money, Mount Saint Vincent University Gallery, Halifax
  • The Place of My Dreams, York Quay Gallery, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto
  • Ether, SAW Gallery, Ottawa
1998
  • Rogue Wave, Out door installation on Toronto Island, Toronto
1997
  • Edward Day Gallery, Kingston
  • Common Cents Store, Galleria, London
  • Dirty Work, Deleon White Gallery, Toronto
1996
  • Duke-u-menta 96, Duke of Connaught, Toronto
  • Empowering Tradition, The Latchum Gallery, Stoufville
1995
  • 20th Anniversary Invitational Exhibition, The Museum for Textiles, Toronto
1994
  • Naked State: A Selected View of Toronto Art, The Power Plant, Toronto
  • The Jasper Avenue Stroll, Edmonton
1992
  • Diverse City, Toronto
Selected Collaborations
2010
  • The Geometry of a Circle, with Peggy Baker, Para Olympics/ Cultural Olympiad, Vancouver
2005
  • Source, collaboration with choreographer Andrea Nann, Premier Dance Theatre, Toronto
2000
  • Senses, site specific collaboration with choreographer Bill James, Toronto
1999
  • Woollen, with choreographer Shannon Cooney, Du Maurier Theatre, Toronto
1993
  • The Geometry of a Circle, with Peggy Baker & Akmed Hassan, Premiere Dance Theatre
Grants & Awards
  • Individual Artist Grant Ontario Arts Council, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1993
  • Individual Artist Grant Canada Council for the Arts 2000, 1998, 1996
  • Individual Artist Grant Toronto Arts Council 2001, 1999, 1994
  • Exhibition Assistance Ontario Arts Council 1998, 1995, 1993
  • Untitled Art Award, Best Multi-dimensional Exhibition of 2003-2004
  • K.M. Hunter Award (co-winner with Lois Andison) 2001
  • Canada Council Paris Studio Award 2001
  • Ontario Association Of Art Galleries- Best Exhibition Award 2000
  • Ontario Arts Council Integrated Arts Grant (with Shannon Cooney) 1998
Collections
  • Cambridge Galleries
  • The Royal Bank of Canada
  • Museum London
  • The National Gallery of Canada
  • Private Collections in Canada, Switzerland, India, USA
Education
1990
  • B.F.A. Specialized Honours in Visual Art, York University, Toronto
Selected Related Experience
2010
  • Sculpture Instructor, University of Waterloo, Waterloo
2009
  • Course Instructor, Haystack Mountain School of Craft, Deer Isle, Maine
2008
  • Juror for The Premier's Award of Excellence in the Arts, Ontario
2007
  • Museum of Civilization, Weekend Public Program
2007-2010
  • Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival Camp, Visual Art Instructor
2006
  • This is My Neighbourhood, Artist in the Schools Projects, Toronto District School Board
2004
  • Artist in Residence/ professor, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
  • Visiting Artist at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Arizona State University, Pheonix
2003/02
  • Sculpture Instructor, Toronto School of Art
2002
  • Juror of Fibreworks, Cambridge Galleries
  • Many Hands, Artist in the Schools Project, Toronto District School Board
2001-2010
  • Canadian Opera Company, Design for Children’s Opera Camps, Toronto & Scarborough
2001
  • Visiting Artist at Mysore Art College, Mysore, India
  • O.A.C. jury for Mid-Career Artists Grant
2000
  • In The Hood, Community Art Project, Toronto
  • Common Thread Festival, workshop with Rachel MacHenry, Oakville Galleries
1999-2000
  • Board Member, Mercer Union, Toronto
1998
  • Art Professional Development Instructor, Kativik School Board, Quaqtaq, Nunavik
1996-2000
  • Founding Member, Phoebe Street Project, Artists studio collective & gallery, Toronto
1996-2003
  • Visiting Artist/Speaker @ O.C.A.D., Western, Guelph, Waterloo & York Universities, Sheridan College & The A.G.O. School
1996-2004
  • Installation crew @ The Power Plant, Toronto
Selected Reviews & Publications
  • Moore, Lisa. Hive publication. Robert Langen Art Gallery, Wilfrid Laurier University. 2010
  • Searle, Karen. Knitting Art; 150 Innovative Works from 18 Contemporary Artists. 2008
  • Jurakic, Ivan. Toque. Cambridge Galleries publication, 2008
  • Fraser, Marie. La Demeure. Optica 2008
  • Anderson, Heather. Wilderness Acts. publication, Eye Level, 2007
  • Urylianik, Georgiana. Overgrown. Mercer Union publication. 2007
  • Townsend, Melanie. CAMPsites , 2007
  • Skerbot, Maja. NIT/ Thread, 2007
  • McKay, Sally. Woodlot: The 3rd KW/AG Biennial. 2007
  • Lukasik-Foss,Tor. Woodlot; The 3rd KW/AG Biennial. C Magazine 96. Winter 2007
  • Goddard, Peter. Take Back the Nuit. Toronto Star. September 27, 2007
  • Sandals, Leah. Nuit Blanche Artist Q & A . Now Magazine,Sept. 27, 2007
  • Milroy, Sarah. A fun night at the art circus. Globe & Mail . Oct. 1, 2007
  • Ylvisaaker, Anne Britt. Opplegg pa Gang; Strikk du ikke ville dromme om. catalogue in Norwegian, 2007
  • Gogarty, Amy. Thrive By publication. RAG. 2006
  • Laurence, Robin. Knitted Works Needle Norm. The Georgia Straight. July 27, 2006
  • Burnham, Clint., Textile Artist has Richmond in Stitches. The Vancouver Sun. Aug. 24, 2006
  • Mikulay,J.G., Wisconsin's Idea of Public Art. Public Sculpture Review. Spring/Summer 2006
  • Higgins, S.O., Striegel, C.Press Gallery; The Newspaper in Modern & Post Modern Art, 2005
  • Dayne, Brenda. Knit Happens. Interweave Knits, Fall 2005
  • The Toronto Star. July 29,2005
  • Dault, Gary Michael. Branded. Globe & Mail. Mar. 5 ,2005
  • Abrams, Charlotte. " Bring on the Knit Wits". The Guardian- U.K. Mar. 5, 2005
  • Vaughan, R.M. "Crafty Art Tweaks Convention". National Post. Feb. 26, 2005
  • Darlington, Tenaya. "Femmebombing the UW". The Isthamus. May 14, 2004
  • Alden, Sharyn. ANEW Magazine. June 2004
  • Green,Doris. Janet Morton; Look Twice. Artist Residency publication of UW-Madison. 2003
  • Lesperance,Ellen. Knitting as Fine Art. Vogue International Knitting Magazine. Winter 2003
  • Harwood, Andrew. Play Tonic. ( A Space exhibition publication). September 2002
  • Eichhorn, V. "One Touch of Nature".Espace Sculpture. Fall 2002
  • Smith, Cory. "One Touch of Nature". Stratford Beacon Herald. July 5, 2002
  • McDonnell, Virginia. One Touch of Nature. ( Gallery 96 exhibition publication). July 2002
  • Searle, Karen. "Knitting & Contemporary Art". Interweave Knits. Vol.VII. Summer 2002
  • Vaughan, R.M. "All Treats, No Tricks". Eye Magazine. Oct. 25, 2001
  • Hanna, Diedre. Now Magazine Top 20 Best Exhibitions Since 1981.(#9) Oct. 25, 2001
  • Hogan, Colman. St. Sebastian; A body caught up in representation. (catalogue). 2001
  • Collins,Kristal & Anderson, Heather. Do Try This at Home. (MSVU catalogue) 2001
  • Quinton, Sarah. Janet Morton; wool work. ( Textile Museum of Canada catalogue) 2001
  • Folland, Tom. "Knitting in Public". Canadian Art Magazine. Spring 2001
  • Beitz, Mike. "Taking Knitting to New Lengths". Stratford Beacon Herald. Feb. 12, 2001
  • Lewis–Matravers, Melinda. "Life Lessons". Islands Magazine. Nov. 2000
  • Livingstone, David. "Stitch in Time". Elm Street Magazine. Nov. 2000
  • Hirschmann, Thomas. "Plaid trees in Canada’s north". The National Post. Aug. 19, 2000
  • Peneloza, Si Si. Artists Dream Studio Project. Mix. Winter 2000
  • Hanna, Diedre. "Edging in on TV". Now Magazine. July 27, 2000
  • "What to C". C – International Contemporary Art. #66. Summer 2000
  • "Knit Bits". Vogue International. Spring 2000
  • Enright, Robert. "The Collectress". Border Crossing. #73. Feb. 2000
  • Hanna, Diedre. "Wool’s Clever Wrap". Now Magazine. March 9, 2000
  • Peneloza, Si Si."Best of 99". Now Magazine. Dec. 23, 1999
  • Gopnik, Blake. "8 for 2000" Visual Arts Suppliment. The Globe & Mail. Nov. 6, 1999
  • Gollom, Mark. "Artist creates woolly womb with house cozy". The National Post. Nov. 8, 1999
  • Aranjelavik, Christina. "Cozy- sculpture on house" Reuters International. Nov. 12, 1999
  • Conlin, Mike."Giant Knit Cozy warms hearth". The Toronto Star. Nov. 13, 1999
  • Angus, Jennifer. "Cryptic Messages". Artichoke. Vol. 11 #2. Summer 1999
  • Fullerton, Kim & Sourkes, Cheryl. Lunch Money. ( MSVU catalogue) 1999
  • McDonnell, Virginia. Vie des Arts. Winter 1998/99
  • MacKay, Gillian. "Artist Lightens Up". The Globe & Mail. Sept.19, 1998
  • Czupryna, Michael. "Common Cents" & Artist–run culture. "The Canadian Monument Show". Mix. Vol. 23.2, Fall 1997
  • Scoffman, Judy. "Deep Freud etchings". The Toronto Star. Feb. 13, 1997
  • MacKay, Gillian. Gallery Goings. The Globe & Mail. Jan. 19, 1997
  • Jordan, Betty ann. "Queen St. Tavern Hosts Duke-u-menta 96". The Globe & Mail. Oct.19, 1996
  • O’Rourke, Debbie "Janet Morton; Mme. Defarge Eat your heart out." Artword. Spring 1995
  • Dault, Gary Michael. "Tragically Hip". Canadian Art. Dec. 1994
  • Dompierre, Louise. Naked State; A Selected View of Toronto Art. ( Power Plant catalogue) 1994
  • Mays, John Bentley. Review of Naked State. The Globe & Mail. Oct. 8, 1994
  • Balfour Bowen, Lisa. "Body Langauge". The Toronto Sun. Sept. 18, 1994
  • Hume, Christopher. "Naked State illuminates new dark age". The Toronto Star. Sept. 22, 1994
  • Brooks, Sharon. Cardigan. (Mercer Union Projectroom publication) April 1993
  • Diverse City. (catalogue). 1992
  • Taylor, Kate. "Destruction & Renewal by Fire". The Globe & Mail. Dec. 31, 1991
  • Langill, Caroline. "Art To Spin Dry By". Fuse. Fall 1989