Landon Mackenzie facts for kids

Landon Mackenzie (born November 29, 1954) is a famous Canadian artist. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is well-known for her very large paintings. Landon Mackenzie also taught art for many years at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She is now a Professor Emeritus, which means she has retired but still holds an important title.

Early Life and Art Education

Landon Mackenzie was born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. She grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. When she was young, she was inspired by a painter named Harold Town. He was a friend of her parents. She once visited his art studio and thought, "I want to do this!"

She studied art at the Nova Scotia School of Art and Design (NSCAD). She earned her first degree in 1976. There, she focused on printmaking, especially etching. Later, she earned a master's degree from Concordia University in 1979. She studied with artists like Guido Molinari. Even though she studied printmaking, she later became a painter.

Becoming a Professional Artist

Landon Mackenzie knew that it could be hard for women artists to get noticed. So, she used her first name, "Landon," to her advantage. People often thought she was a man, which helped her art get seen more easily at the start of her career.

She began teaching art at Concordia University in 1978. She taught there until 1985. Then, she moved to Vancouver in 1986. She joined the art faculty at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

Mackenzie's Unique Painting Style

Landon Mackenzie's paintings are usually very large. They show her deep interest in the art of painting itself. Her artworks have been displayed in many important places. These include the National Gallery of Canada and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Her art has also been shown in solo and group exhibitions around the world for over 30 years.

She is known for helping and guiding younger artists in Vancouver. She was an important teacher. She studied art during a time when new ideas were popular. This helped her develop her own unique artistic voice. One of her early famous works was the "Lost River Series."

Awards and Recognition

In 2008, the Emily Carr school became a university. Landon Mackenzie was the first person to become a full professor there. In 2009, she won the first Ian Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award. This award recognized her passion for teaching and her contributions to art in Vancouver.

In 2012, she received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. This award honored her service to Canada through her visual art. In 2017, she received the prestigious Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts.

Exploring New Ideas in Art

From the early 1990s to 2009, Landon Mackenzie created large paintings that included research notes and maps. She explored different places and ideas in her art. One of these works was 'Vancouver As the Centre of the World'. This painting was made for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

More recently, she has been interested in how our brains work. She connects this idea to how we understand our environment. This led to her series called 'Neurocity' and 'The Structures'. Her art often combines abstract ideas with things we can recognize.

Selected Art Collections

Landon Mackenzie's art can be found in major collections, including:

• National Gallery of Canada
• Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec

Selected Awards and Honors

• Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2003)
• Canada Council Grant to Established Artists (1998, 1999, 2005)
• Canada Council Paris Studio Residency Award (2008)
• Ian Wallace Excellence in Teaching Award (2009)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts (2017)