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Janet Werner

Janet Werner

1959
Born in Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Lives in Montréal, QC, Canada

Education

MFA in Painting, Yale University, School of Art and Architecture, New Haven, CT, USA
BFA in Painting, Maryland Institute, College of Art, Baltimore, MD, USA

Solo Exhibitions

2026
Landscape With Legs, Anat Ebgi, New York, NY
2025
Hell and Happiness, Almine Rech, Brussels, BE
2024
Spiders and Snakes, Bradley Ertaskiran, Montréal, Québec
2023
Call Me When You Start Wearing Red, Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles, CA
2022
Crush, Arsenal Contemporary, New York, NY
2021
There There, Bradley Ertaskiran, Montréal, QC
2019
Janet Werner, Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, Montréal, QC
What Time Is It, Mr. Wolf?, Art Gallery of Guelph, Guelph, ON
2018
The Splits, Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles, CA
2017
Sticky Pictures, Parisian Laundry, Montréal, QC
2015
Zero Eyes, Esther Massry Gallery, Albany, NY, USA
Drop, drop slow tears, Parisian Laundry, Montréal, QC
2014
Abby and Snow, Birch Contemporary, Toronto, ON
2013
Another Perfect Day, touring exhibition, Kenderdine Gallery, Esker Foundation, Galerie de l’UQAM, MacIntosh Gallery, London, ON with catalogue
2012
Mad Bad Glad Sad, What if the World Gallery, Woodstock, Cape Town, South Africa
Earthling, Parisian Laundry, Montréal, QC
VOLTA NY, New York, NY
2011
Beauty takes a holiday, Birch Libralato, Toronto, ON
2010
Janet Werner, Julia Garnatz, Cologne, Germany
Who’s Sorry Now? Parisian Laundry, Montréal, QC
2009
Is Anything Alright? Art Gallery of Windsor, Windsor, ON
2008
Too much happiness, Parisian Laundry Montréal, QC
New Work, Birch Libralato, Toronto, ON
2007
Buttercup I love you, Galerie Julia Garnatz, Cologne, Germany
2006
Up here in heaven, Birch Libralato Gallery, Toronto, ON
Misfits, Galerie Joyce Yahouda, Montréal, QC
2005
Janet Werner, Liane & Danny Taran Gallery, Saidye Bronfman Centre, Montréal, QC
2004
Janet Werner, Robert Birch Gallery, Toronto, ON
Janet Werner, Tracey Lawrence Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2002
Since first I cast eyes on you/ Depuis mon premier regard sur toi, Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa, ON
Janet Werner, Robert Birch Gallery, Toronto, ON
Since first I cast eyes on you, Tracy Lawrence Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2001
Janet Werner: New Work, Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary, AB
Janet Werner, The Gallery Art Placement, Saskatoon, SK
2000 Beautiful Losers (with Michael Fernandes), Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina, SK
New Work, Robert Birch Gallery, Toronto, ON
Trust, Thames Art Gallery, Chatham, ON
Trust, Estevan National Exhibition Center, Estevan, SK
1999
Trust, Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
Portraits, MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie, ON
Trance (with Patrick Traer), Plug In Contemporary Art, Winnipeg, MB
Trust, Art Gallery of Mississauga, Mississauga, ON
New Paintings, Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary, AB
Portraits, Tableau Vivant, Toronto, ON
1998 Trust, Optica, Montréal, QC
Lucky, Owens Art Gallery, Sackville, NB
1997
Lucky, Southern Alberta Art Gallery, Lethbridge, AB
Trance, The Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
Listen (with Beaty Popescu), AKA Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
1996
Slow Pictures, Robert Birch Gallery, Toronto, ON
1995
Janet Werner/Kathleen Sellars* Eye Level Gallery, Halifax, N.S.
Figures and Fields, Sir Wilfred Grenfell Gallery, Corner Brook, NF
Scat, Galerie Axe NEO 7, Hull, QC
1994
Lingua, La Centrale, Galerie Powerhouse, Montréal, QC
1992
Reflections on Language and the Appearance of Things, Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina, SK
1991
Reflections on Language and the Appearance of Things, Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
Reflections on Language and the Appearance of Things, Illingworth Kerr Gallery, Calgary, AB
1990
Paintings, Garnet Press Gallery, Toronto, ON
1989
Rehearsing the World, Plug In Contemporary Art, Winnipeg, MB

Group Exhibitions

2025
Scratches on Film, Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles, CA
2024
The First Taste, Anat Ebgi, New York, NY
2023
Celebrating Picasso Today: Infinite Modernism, Almine Rech, London, UK
SHIFT: Ecologies of Fashion, Form and Textile, Griffin Art Projects, Vancouver, BC
Feeling of Light, Almine Rech, Brussels, BE
2021
North by Northeast: Contemporary Canadian Painting, Kasmin, New York, NY
Keer Tanchak & Janet Werner: Romantik, Gallery 12.26, Dallas, TX
Good Company: Pt.1, Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles, CA
This Sacred Vessel pt.2, Arsenal Contemporary, New York, NY
This Sacred Vessel pt.1, Arsenal Contemporary, New York, NY
The Conversation, Anat Ebgi at Minnesota Street Project, San Francisco, CA
Flower Petal Tongues, curated by Corrie Jackson, Griffin Art Projects, Vancouver, BC
2017
C’est ainsi qu’entre la lumière, Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, Montréal, QC
2016
PDA Lovers, Four Six One Nine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Summertime in Paris: Solstice, Parisian Laundry, Montréal, QC
Jupe bleue, une blonde, des calculatrices et un nu couché, Parisian Laundry, Montréal, QC
2015
Her Story Today, Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, Montréal, QC
Summertime in Paris: Spectiveretro, Parisian Laundry, Montréal, QC
2014
The Portrait Society Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
Masquerade, Musée du Bas St Laurent, Rivière-du-Loup, QC
2013
The Painting Project, curated by Louise Déry, Galerie de l’UQAM, Montréal, QC
Painting Perspectives curated by Jennifer Lefort, Axenéo 7, Gatineau, QC
2012
Oh, Canada, curated by Denise Markonish, MassMoCA, North Adams, MA
2008
Intrus/Intruders, curated by Melanie Boucher, Musée du Québec, Québec, QC
Generation, curated by Catherine Crowston, Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Entre/Voir, curated by Louise Déry, UQAM, Montréal, QC
2007
Some Girls, curated by James Campbell, McClure Gallery, Montréal, QC
Framed: The art of the portrait, Art Gallery of Hamilton, Hamilton, ON
2006
Peindre, Centre d’Exposition de Baie Sainte Paul, Baie Sainte Paul, QC
2005
Individuation, Galerie Esthésio, Québec City, QC
2004
Sweet and Sour, Tracey Lawrence Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2003
Prague Biennale, “ Lazarus Effect, “ Prague, Czech Republic
Dog Days, Tracey Lawrence Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
Woman, James Baird Gallery, St. John’s, NB
2002
Posers, curated by Mathew Reichertz, St. Mary’s University Art Gallery, Halifax, NS
Beautiful Stranger, curated by Mitch Robertson, The Physics Room, Christchurch, New Zealand (with Micah Lexier and Kelly Mark)
Portraits – Robots, curated by Eric Simon, Galerie Graff, Montréal, QC
2001
Defining the Portrait, curated by Sandra Paikowsky, Leonard and Bina Ellen Art Gallery, Montréal, QC
2000
Tableau Vivant Gallery, curated by Wren Jackson, Toronto, ON
Small Craft Warning, curated by Francois Dion, Gallery 101, Ottawa, ON
1999
Les Peintures, Galerie René Blouin/Galerie Lilian Rodriguez, Montréal, QC
Ten Years Later, Contemporary Art from the Collection of the Mendel Art Gallery, Swift Current National Exhibition Center, Swift Current, SK
1998
Ten Years Later, Contemporary Art from the Collection of the Mendel Art Gallery, Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
Mixed Messages, Kenderdine Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
1993 Anima <-> Materia, Kenderdine Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
The Heliotropic, I, curated by Jennifer McMackon, Mercer Union, Toronto, ON
1992
Propositions/Painting, curated by Lucy Hogg, Charles Scott Gallery, Vancouver, B.C.
1991
Remembering and Telling: Reflections on Identity and Location, curated by Lynn Bell, Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina, SK
1990
Memory and Subjectivity, curated by Janice Andrae, Garnet Press Gallery, Toronto, ON
Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery, Owen Sound, ON
Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, ON
Laurentian University Museum and Art Centre, Sudbury, ON

Collections

National Gallery of Canada, Ottowa, ON
Desjardins Collection, Montréal, QC
McEvoy Foundation for the Arts, San Francisco, CA
Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, ON
Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, Montréal, QC
Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Québec, QC
Canadian Embassy in Berlin, Germany
Collection of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON
Leonard and Bina Ellen Art Gallery, Montréal, QC
Mackenzie Art Gallery, Regina, SK
Owens Art Gallery, Sackville, N.B.
Mendel Art Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina, SK
Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, MB
Kenderdine Art Gallery, Saskatoon, SK
University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB
Saskatchewan Arts Board, Regina, SK
Canada Council Art Bank, Ottawa, ON
Aldo Group Collection
Claridge Collection
Caisse de dépot et placement du Québec, QC
Banque Nationale, Canada
Private Collections Germany, Canada and USA

Awards

2015
Vermont Studio Centre Fellowship
2012
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Development Grant
2011
Canada Council project grant
2010
Canada Council project grant
2007
Canada Council project grant
2005
Peindre, Symposium Internationale d’art Contemporain, Baie Sainte Paul, QC
2004
Canada Council B Grant
2003
Canada Council New York Studio, International Studio Program, NY, USA
2001
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, A Grant
1999
Canada Council B Grant
1998
Women and Paint thematic residency, The Banff Center
Saskatchewan Arts Board B Grant
1996
Canada Council B Grant
1995
Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris, France, Canada Council Studio
1994
Canada Council B Grant
Leighton Studios, Banff, AB
1993
Yaddo Artist Colony, Saratoga Springs, New York, Fellowship
Saskatchewan Arts Board B Grant
1990
Saskatchewan Arts Board B Grant

Press

Rosenthal, Joe. "Janet Werner’s Landscape with Legs," Elephant, 4 July 2026
Shoshan, Sylvia. "Janet Werner is Distorting Fashion’s Beauty Ideals Through Painting," Hypebae, 29 April 2026
"Janet Werner “Call Me When You Start Wearing Red” at Anat Ebgi, Los Angeles," Mousse Magazine, 21 February 2023
Laster, Paul. "8 Must-See Gallery Solo Shows in February," February 2023
Schwabsky, Barry. "Janet Werner," Artforum, December 2022
Osterweil, Ara. "Janet Werner," Artforum, January 2020
Osterweil, Ara. “Between the glossies and the grotesque Janet Werner paints a world,” Border Crossings Issue #153, 2020
Campbell, James. "Janet Werner and the Portrait Reinvented at Musee d’art contemporain de Montreal," Whitehot Magazine, December 2019
Feldman, Melissa. "Pictures of You," Canadian Art, December 2019
Osterweil, Ara. "Janet Werner," Artforum, December 2017
Campbell, James. "Janet Werner," Frieze, 31 October 2017
Charon, Marie-Ève. “Secrets d’atelier avec Janet Werner et Anthony Burnham,” Le Devoir, 7 October 2017
Petrowski, Nathalie. “Le détournement d’images de Janet Werner," La Presse, 11 September 2017
Goodden, Sky. “Janet Werner’s Truer Subject, the Women Unseen,” Momus, 25 February 2015
Kissick, John. “Someone, Something, Nothing,” Border Crossings, June 2013
Henry, Joseph. “REVIEW: Janet Werner Refashions the Female Form”, Gallery Guide, 16 November 2013
Jordan, Betty Ann. "Janet Werner," Canadian House & Home, Fall 2012
Balzer, David. “Janet Werner on What Makes a Good Painting, Artist Statements, Professionalization Pressures & More,” Canadian Art, 28 November 2012
Balzer, David. “Janet Werner,” Modern Painters, Summer 2012
“Transforming the Earthling – in conversation with Janet Werner,” M-KOS, 23 April 2012
Dewolfe, Stacey. "Women and Animals," Montreal Mirror, 2010
Skeene, Cameron. "Janet Werner," Border Crossings, 2010
Balzer, David. “Up Here in Heaven,” Canadian Art, Spring 2007
Cote, Nathalie. "Et moi et moi et moi," Voir Quebec, 7 July 2005
Crevier, Lyne. "Tout sucre," Ici Montréal, 14 July 2005
Tousignant, Isa. “Piece and Parcel: Janet Werner Splits Her Portraits Back into Pieces,” Hour, 28 July 2005
Lehmann, Henry. “A probing look at portraits,” The Montréal Gazette, 16 July 2005
Lamarche, Bernard. "Portraits d’idéaux," Le Devoir, 14 August 2005
Campbell, James. “Janet Werner,” Border Crossings, Winter 2005
Dault, Julia. “Portraits of Pretend People,” The National Post, 30 December 2004
Dault, Gary Michael. “Tawdry, exhausting and possibly brilliant,” The Globe and Mail, 1 May 2004
Osborne, Catherine. “Painter gets down to basics,” The National Post, 17 April 2004
Hartland-Rowe, Sara. “Around and About Painting,” Border Crossings, Winter 2003
Ghaznavi, Corinna. “Surfacing: Janet Werner at Robert Birch,” Dart, Fall 2002
Enright, Robert. “Mute Ability: Janet Werner changes the face of portraiture,” Border Crossings, Summer 2002
Elliott, David. “Paint person,” Canadian Art, Summer 2002
“Painting as Patchwork,” The Globe and Mail, 23 September 2000
Budney, Jen. "Small Craft Warnings," Parachute 100, 2000
Laurence, Robin. “Face Off,” Border Crossings, Winter 1999
Lee, James-Jason. “Trust puts Gallerygoers’ faith to test,” Georgia Straight, 5 August 1999
Enright, Robert. “Head Games,” The Globe and Mail, 20 November 1999
“Portraits that hide much more than they reveal,” The Globe and Mail, 17 April 1999
Severson, Anne. “Unusual portraits of our time,” Fast Forward, Calgary, 3 June 1999
Massier, John. “Trust,” Lola, Summer 1999
Warland, Betsy. “Patrick Traer and Janet Werner,” C Magazine, Spring 1998
Maclear, Kyo. “Blurred vision,” Toronto Life, April 1999
Mark, Lisa. “Getting our hands dirty,” C Magazine, Fall 1998
Tousley, Nancy. “First Language,” Canadian Art, Fall 1997
Lilburn, Tim. “Angels of History,” Border Crossings, Fall 1997
Blatherwick, David. "Peindre les failles du Langage," Spirale, March 1995
Liss, David. “La Centrale/Galerie Powerhouse…” (review), The Gazette, 26 November 1994
Lilburn, Tim. “Clear Suspicions,” Border Crossings, Winter 1992