Michael Harris

Michael Harris is an oil painter, song-writer and world traveller from Toronto. He is self-taught, having never sought out formal training in art. Michael briefly studied graphic design in college following high school, but left after a few months to backpack through Europe. Seven months of immersing himself in the galleries and culture of Europe at 19 was followed by a year of travel in Australia at 21. At 24, to mark his transition to the ranks of professional artist, Michael took his paints and palette on his year long "trip around the world" - painting his way through Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, Nepal, India, Greece, Turkey and the UK. Between trips, Michael honed his skills as a working artist; doing everything from painting reproductions for an international art company, to illustration, to portraiture and other private commissions. Michael has spent years developing and evolving his approach to painting in oils. His evocative landscape paintings have been sought after by designers and art enthusiasts in Toronto for several years. His controversial on-going series featuring the iconic symbol of the Canadian Mountie crucified has garnered attention, including articles in The Toronto Star and Eye Magazine. A recent addition to the series which portrays former media mogul Conrad Black in the roll of the crucified Mountie is featured by Mr.Black in his newly published autobiography, "A Matter of Principle". Black has since commissioned more work from Michael in addition to the original piece. Michael’s work is included in the corporate collection of the legal firm Norton Rose and Associates. The focus of Michael's current work is his enigmatic and provocative figure paintings which includes his "black and white" series as well as his series of climbing and flowing multiple figures. Michael's work is deeply influenced by his interest in psychology, consciousness studies, politics, and the Integral philosophy of Ken Wilber. Michael is represented in Toronto by: Gallery 133, Art Interiors, Rouge Concept Gallery, Engine Gallery. In Ottawa by Terrance Robert Gallery. In Melbourne Australia by Jackman Gallery.