Liz Magor
Liz Magor (b. 1948, Winnipeg; lives/works: Vancouver) is an artist whose practice has centred primarily on sculpture for over four decades. Using traditional mould-making techniques, Magor replicates everyday objects either as discrete, uncanny forms, or spliced together with an unrelated quotidian object of her environment. Consistent throughout Magor’s practice is an experimentation with traditional sculptural elements such as mass, volume, and weight, mixed with a slightly sardonic humor. In even the most unassuming items, her approach draws out the non-utilitarian functions of objects and our human attachments to them, such as needs for comfort and affirmation.
Magor studied at the Vancouver School of Art and at Parsons School of Design in New York City. In 2021, France awarded Liz Magor as a recipient of the Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In 2015, she was the recipient of the Gershon Iskowitz Prize, and in 2001, she was recipient of the Governor General’s award. In 1987, she exhibited at documenta 8 in Kassel, Germany, and in 1984, she represented Canada at the Venice Biennale.
She has presented significant solo exhibitions at Catriona Jeffries, Vancouver (2025, 2020, 2012); the Museum of Contemporary Art, Toronto (2023); Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin, Ireland (2023); Carpenter Center for the Arts, Cambridge; Renaissance Society, Chicago; David Ireland House, San Francisco (2019); Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain de Nice, France; Kunstverein in Hamburg, Germany; Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, Zurich, Switzerland (2017); Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal (2016); Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto (2015, 1986); Peep-Hole, Milan (2015); Triangle France, Marseille (2013); Henry Art Gallery, Seattle (2009); Simon Fraser University Gallery, Vancouver (2008); The Power Plant, Toronto (2003); Vancouver Art Gallery (2002, 1980); Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver (2000); Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon; Winnipeg Art Gallery; Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (1987); and The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (1977); as well as in numerous group exhibitions internationally.