100 Portraits: Placid
Oil on Linen
60h x 84w in.
Sonmor muses on the conventions of historical subjects including romantic landscapes, equestrian and marine subjects, and vanitas still-lifes. Sonmor uses these familiar historical practices, though slightly shifting many of their known properties, such as colour or space. The resulting paintings celebrate these historical subjects in today’s culture, capturing the feeling of Northern European still-lifes and Vanitas studies and rendering images in hues and shades of feeling, while still carrying a distinctive contemporary edge. With his horse paintings, he reflects on the effort required to construct and maintain a myth, contemporary or otherwise, Sonmor faces competing vested interests and the rapid flow towards cultural homogeneity. His earnest subjects seem intent on living up to their appointed status and expected image.
Kevin Sonmor in his studio
Born in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, Kevin Sonmor completed his MFA at Concordia University in Montreal in 1991. Since then, he has exhibited widely across Canada, the US, and more recently, Europe. Sonmor has had solo exhibitions in several public galleries and museums, including University of Waterloo, Mendel Gallery in Saskatoon, Art Gallery of Mississauga and most recently, Sherbrooke Museum of Fine Arts in Quebec. In the fall of 2014, Sonmor had a solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie in Alberta. Sonmor is a recipient of numerous Quebec Council Grants and his work can be found in many private and public collections including the University of Waterloo, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the Glenbow Museum and The Government of Canada.
Education
1988 - 91. MFA Concordia University. Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
1986. The Banff Centre. Banff, Alberta, Canada
Summer Art Studio
1983 - 88. The Alberta College of Art and Design. Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Diploma with honors
Museum and Public Gallery Exhibitions
2015:
Players & Saints, Pryor Fine Art,
Atlanta GA
2 person exhibition with France Jodoin curated by Tiffany Hayes
2012:
Simple Short Stories. The Sherbrooke Museum of Fine Arts.
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.
2 person exhibition with France Jodoin curated by Sarah Boucher.
Catalogue: Essays by Anthony Collins and Bernard Chase.
2010:
Lahey, Sonmor, Bartram. The Macdonald Stewart Art Centre.
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Group exhibition curated by Judith Nasby and Dawn Owen.
2004:
Failing Gravity. The Art Gallery of Mississauga.
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Solo exhibition curated by Robert Freeman.
2003:
Under Different Circumstances. The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
Atlanta, Ga, USA
Group exhibition.
2002:
The Landscape Perilous. Organized by the Mendel Art Gallery.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Solo exhibition curated by George Moppett.
Catalogue: Essays by Mark Daniel Cohen and George Moppett.
Travelled to the Art Gallery of Western Manitoba, Brandon, Manitoba and
the Robert McLaughlin Art Gallery, Oshawa, Ontario.
Cultural Sensations. Coca-Cola.
Atlanta, Ga, USA
Marks, Gestures, Symbols. The White Mountain Art Academy.
Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada
Group exhibition curated by Natalie Olanick.
2001:
Made in Canada: Contemporary Art From Montreal.
The Burke Gallery, Plattsburg State Art Museum, The State
University of New York, Plattsburg, New York. USA.
Group exhibition.
Controlled Substance. The Macdonald Stewart Art Centre.
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Group exhibition curated by Judith Nasby.
1999:
The Menlove-Goode Collection: Endgames. The Agnes Etherington Art Gallery.
Queens University. Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Group exhibition.
1998:
Sights of Contention. Organized by the University of Waterloo.
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Solo exhibition curated by Joseph Wyatt.
Catalogue: Essays by David Liss and Joseph Wyatt.
Travelled to the Art Gallery of Sudbury, Sudbury, Ontario and
the Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste Marie, Ontario.
The Word in Canadian Art. The Canadian Centre for Contemporary Art.
(formerly the Art Gallery of North York)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Group exhibition.
In the Wilds: Canoeing and Canadian Art. The McMichael Collection.
Kleinburg, Ontario, Canada
Group exhibition curated by Liz Wylie.
Catalogue: Essay by Liz Wylie
1997:
The Persistent Tradition: The Canadian Landscape. The University of Waterloo.
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Group exhibition curated by Joseph Wyatt.
1993:
Sonmor Paintings. The Niagara Artist Centre.
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Solo exhibition.
Sonmor Paintings. Langage Plus.
Alma, Quebec, Canada
Solo exhibition.
1991:
Rethinking Coyote Flats. Gallery Skol.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Solo exhibition.
Catalogue: Essay by Nicolas Mavrikakis
1990:
I’m Painting Horses on My Walls. Modern Fuel Gallery.
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Solo exhibition.
1988:
Reflections - Relocations. Truck Gallery.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Solo exhibition.
From the Landscape. The Illingworth Kerr Gallery.
The Alberta College of Art and Design. Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Group exhibition
Systematic Relocations. The Works.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Group exhibition.
1987:
Ten Years. Modern Fuel Gallery.
Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Group exhibition.
1986:
With Introspection. The Walter Phillips Gallery.
The Banff Centre. Banff, Alberta, Canada
Group exhibition.
Solo Exhibitions: Commercial Galleries
2012:
Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Galerie deBellefeuille.
Montreal. Quebec, Canada
Catalogue: Essay by Mark Daniel Cohen
2010:
Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Galerie deBellefeuille.
Montreal. Quebec, Canada
Catalogue: Essay by Mark Daniel Cohen
2009:
Addington Gallery
Chicago, Il, USA
Leo Kamen Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2008:
Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Galerie deBellefeuille.
Montreal. Quebec, Canada
Catalogue
2007:
Leo Kamen Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2006:
Addington Gallery
Chicago, Il, USA
Bill Lowe Gallery
Atlanta, Ga, USA
Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Galerie deBellefeuille.
Montreal. Quebec, Canada
Catalogue: Essay by Tom Hopkins
2005:
Leo Kamen Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
James Baird Gallery
St. John’s, NL, Canada
2004:
The Lowe Gallery
Los Angeles, Ca, USA
Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Leo Kamen Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Galerie deBellefeuille.
Montreal. Quebec, Canada
Catalogue: Essay by Paul Walde
2002:
The Lowe Gallery
Atlanta, Ga, USA
Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Catalogue: Essay by Mark Daniel Cohen
Leo Kamen Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Galerie deBellefeuille.
Montreal. Quebec, Canada
Catalogue: Essay by Natalie Olanick
2001:
J.J. Brookings Gallery
San Francisco, Ca, USA
Leo Kamen Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2000:
Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
J.J. Brookings Gallery
San Francisco, Ca, USA
1999:
Leo Kamen Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1998:
Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
1997:
Leo Kamen Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1996:
Deacon Ulrich Fine Arts
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Leo Kamen Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1995:
OK Harris Gallery
New York, NY, USA
1994:
Waddington Gorce Gallery
Montreal. Quebec, Canada
1991:
Leo Kamen Gallery
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Group Exhibitions: Commercial Galleries
2013:
Introductions. Pryor Fine Art
Atlanta, Georgia
2012:
G’ddy Up. Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
2011:
Sunscreen. Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
2010:
Natura Sublime. Addington Gallery.
Chicago, Il, USA
2008:
Landscape and Memory. Addington Gallery.
Chicago, Il, USA
2001:
Kevin Sonmor, Suzan Dionne. James Baird Gallery
St. John’s, NL, Canada
1995:
The Common Hand. Leo Kamen Gallery.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Roland Reese, Kevin Sonmor. Deacon Ulrich Fine Arts.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Kevin Sonmor, David Moore, Sunni Mercer. Leo Kamen Gallery.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
1988:
Six Young Painters. Virginia Christopher Gallery.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Selected Bibliography
Czernin,Jacquie. CBC Radio - interview with animatrice de Breakaway, . Quebec City, QC, 27 Jan. 2012
Newsroom. Musee des Beaux-arts de Sherbrooke - Simple Short Stories. Sherbrooke Record, Sherbrooke, QC. Jan 23, 2012, page 2
Moulin, Anik. Societe Radio-Canada (television) - interview. Le Telejournal Estrie. 23 Feb. 2012
Jodoin et Sonmor a Sherbrooke. Le Devoir, Week-end Culture. 27 Jan, 2012
Masbourian,Patrick. Radio-Canada - interview with animateur de Bouillant de culture (arts et cultures)– Première Chaîne. 4 Feb. 2012
Martin, Clement. De petites histoires sur grands formats. Zone-Art, Sherbrooke, QC. Feb 8, 2012
Martin, Laura. Un couple bien assorti. La Tribune, Sherbrooke, QC. Feb 16, 2012
Catellier, Maxime.La Peinture a l’huile. Ici Vol. 10, No. 5, Montreal, QC. Nov 1, 2006
Hayward, Karla.Redefining the Landscape. The Telegram, St. John’s, NL. Oct 21, 2005
Goddard Peter. Kevin Sonmor a master of the big picture. The Toronto Star. Mar 1, 2003
Cohen, Mark Daniel. Still Lives Lived. (Catalogue Essay: Newzones Gallery, Calgary ‘2002)
Cohen, Mark Daniel. The Landscape Perilous: Kevin Sonmor Paintings 1998-2002. (Catalogue Essay. the Mendel Art Gallery. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.‘2002)
Lungu, Florentina. Paysages Lyriques Atemporals et Natures Mortes. vie des Arts, No. 186, Printemps,2002
Olanick, Natalie. Kevin Sonmor. (Catalogue Essay: Galerie deBellefeuille, Montreal ‘2002).
Caudel, Robin. The Best of Canadian Art at Plattsburg State. ThePlattsburg Press Republican. Nov 29, 2001
Milsum, Fred. On The Cover, (cover story) Alberta Gallery Guide, Nov 2000 - Jan 2001
Dault, Gary Michael. Kevin Sonmor at Leo Kamen, The Globe and Mail, April 28, 2001
Dault, Gary Michael. The End of the Earth, Canadian Art, Fall 2000’ Volume 17. No.3
O’Flanagan, Rob. Artist paints for the sheer thrill of it, The Sudbury Star, May 1, 1999
McGregor, Leah. Work has visual vocabulary, Northern Life, May 2, 1999
Severson, Anne. The Journeyman, vie des Arts, No. 174, Printemps,1999
Crosson, David.. From corral to canvas, C & W magazine, Jan 1999
Fast Forward. Kevin Sonmor, Canadian Art, Vol 15, No. 4,Winter, 1998
McCartney, Leah. Gallery Notes, The Calgary Straight, Dec 3, 1998
Tousley, Nancy. The Hit List-Best Bets, The Calgary Herald, Dec 3, 1998
Reid, Robert. Art & Emotion - Painter Kevin Sonmor grows in stature, The Record, Oct 17, 1998
Liss, David. Sights of Contention (Catalogue Essay:University of Waterloo, Ont. Sept ‘98).
Wylie, Liz. In the Wilds: Canoeing and Canadian Art. (Catalogue Essay: The McMichael Collection. Kleinburg, Ontario June ‘98)
Brackett, Donald. Painterly Inclinations, The Financial Post, Sept 13, 1997
Jordan, Betty Ann.The Common Hand, (Catalogue Essay: Leo Kamen Gallery, Oct ‘95)
Hakim, Mona. Kevin Sonmor, Le Devoir, March 16, 1994
Le Far West à Langage Plus, Progrès-dimanche, September 19, 1993
Langage Plus amorce sa nouvelle saison, Le Lac St-Jean, September 12, 1993
Sanford, Judith and Weins, Ronald. Gallery Walkabout. WorkSeen, Fall 1991
Moreau, Yvan. Kevin Sonmor, Repenser les plains du coyote, Etcetera, Automne 1991
Mavrikakis, Nicolas. Bitte et Myth: Half-cocked, (Catalogue Essay: Galerie Skol ‘91)
Cron, Marie-Michèle. Les Hommes et leur jeu interdit, Le Devoir, May 23, 1991
Darrah, Benjamin. Artscenes, Between the Lines, February 15, 1990
Punter, Jennifer. I’m Painting Horses on my Walls, The Kingston Whig Standard, February 24, 1990
Gustafson, Paula. Class of ‘88, The Calgary Herald, April 4, 1988
Tousley, Nancy. Rodeo Past Rides in Abstractions, The Calgary Herald, May 29, 1988
Selected Collections
Canada Council Art Bank. Ottawa, Ontario
Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Halifax, Nova Scotia
Banque Nationale. Montreal, Quebec
Cirque du Soleil. Montreal, Quebec
Brock University. St. Catharines, Ontario
Macdonald Stewart Art Centre. Guelph, Ontario
Atlas Developments Ltd. Calgary, Alberta
Art Gallery of Algoma. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Government of Canada, Department of External Affairs. Ottawa, Ontario
Grimsby Public Art Gallery. Grimsby, Ontario
Burnet, Duckworth and Palmer. Calgary, Alberta
Hewlett-Packard Ltd. Toronto, Ontario
SunLife Insurance. Toronto, Ontario
Simon Frazer University. Vancouver, British Columbia
Telesystem. Montreal, Quebec
Tristone Capital. Calgary, Alberta
White Mountain Art Academy. Elliott Lake, Ontario
University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, Manitoba
University of Waterloo. Waterloo, Ontario
Canada Life Insurance. Toronto, Ontario
The Royal Bank of Canada. Toronto, Ontario
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. Toronto, Ontario
Toronto Dominion Bank. Toronto, Ontario
Claridge Inc. The Bronfman Collection. Montreal, Quebec
Church and Company. Vancouver, British Columbia
Canderel Corp. Montreal, Quebec
Grants and Awards
1992 - 95:
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec: B - grants
1989:
J.W. McConnell Memorial Graduate Fellowship. Concordia University. Montreal, Qc
Alberta Culture Visual Arts Study Grant. Calgary, Ab
1988:
J.W. McConnell Memorial Graduate Fellowship. Concordia University. Montreal, Qc
Alberta Culture Visual Arts Study Grant. Calgary, Ab
1986:
Alberta College of Art Travel Scholarship. Calgary, Alberta
Singleton Family Fine Arts Scholarship. Banff, Alberta
1985:
Louise Mckinney Scholarship. Alberta College of Art. Calgary, Ab
1984:
Illingworth Kerr Painting Scholarship. Alberta College of Art. Calgary, Ab
Louise Mckinney Scholarship. Alberta College of Art. Calgary, Ab
