Kinetic Mythology

Michael Morris (b. 1942)

Interdisciplinary artist Michael Morris was a key figure of the Canadian avant-garde, a catalyst in the development of the Vancouver art scene of the 1960’s. Born in England, Morris immigrated to Canada at the age of four and grew up in Saanich, British Columbia. He studied at the University of Victoria and the Vancouver School of Art, under the direction of Jack Shadbolt, Roy Kiyooka and Don Jarvis. While completing his post-graduate studies at the Slade School of Fine Art at London University in England, Morris took interest in the work of Fluxus and the European avant-garde, movements that would have a profound influence on his work.

He is best known for his media-based work, and for his artistic collaborations. In 1969, with his partner Vincent Trasov, the two created Image Bank, an international process-based collaboration, through which a network of artists exchanged information and ideas through mail art, or art shared through the post. Through the Image Bank Morris collaborated with Canadian artists Eric Metcalfe, Gary Lee Nova, Ray Johnson and General Idea, and with the French Fluxus artist, Robert Filliou. Together with eight Vancouver artists, Morris was a co-founder of the Western Front Society in 1973, one of the first and longest lasting artist-run centres in Canada. The centre was and is dedicated to presenting new art in all disciplines, including performance and media arts. Throughout this time, Morris promoted contemporary art as an acting curator at the Vancouver Art Gallery and by organizing art events and exhibitions at the Simon Fraser University Gallery. He also directed the Western Front for seven years. Describing his activities of the time, Morris has said, “…to be an artist. You had to create your own context. You had to go out and create a context to work in.” In the 1980s and 1990s, Morris pursued his career, participating in artistic residencies at the Kustlerprogramm in Berliin, the Banff Centre in Alberta, and Open Studio in Toronto.

Michael Morris was awarded the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts in 2011 and the Audain Prize for Lifetime Achievement in the Visual Arts in 2015. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities in 2005 from Emily Carr University of Art + Design. His work is held in the collections of the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, the National Film Board of Canada, The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.