Contemporary Art

The Founders of the McMichael originally sought to collect works exclusively by the Group of Seven and their contemporaries, but as they learned more about the art of Canada and fell in love with the work of painters like Norval Morrisseau and Doris McCarthy, their collection expanded beyond its initial specifications.

In 2011, the Gallery’s mandate was broadened further and finally: the McMichaels’ surviving relatives, Penny and Jack Fenwick, joined with the Ontario government and Bill 188, passed that year, gave the Gallery an unrestricted mandate for exhibitions and acquisitions. The bill maintained a focus on Group of Seven and their contemporaries as well as by Indigenous and Inuit artists, but the priority was to “preserve and modernize” the gallery.

Drawing of two males playing Chinese Checkers. Young male on left side wearing baseball hat and holding a red mug. Older male with black hair and a moustache is making a move on the game board in the centre. Steaming mug and partially eaten slice of toast on table in front of him.
painting of two pink fish fillets lying on paper

In the years since, the McMichael has exhibited many contemporary artists, to much critical acclaim: Mary Pratt, Kim Dorland, Terence Koh, Sarah Anne Johnson, Steve Driscoll, Jack Bush, and Colleen Heslin, for example.

The McMichael’s collection continues to grow and evolve, too, as we attempt to reflect the work of artists who have influenced – and continue to influence – the ideas, context, and direction of the Art of Canada.

Black and white painting in an abstract style.
Photograph of two people sitting in an armchair in front of a large tree trunk. A third person is standing on the left of the photo. Their faces have been disguised with oil paint in bright colours.
Drawing of two males playing Chinese Checkers. Young male on left side wearing baseball hat and holding a red mug. Older male with black hair and a moustache is making a move on the game board in the centre. Steaming mug and partially eaten slice of toast on table in front of him.
Three rocks mostly concealed by smooth dark leather covering
Painting depicting night sky with green northern lights and a tree in centre.
Cotton panel consisting of angular blocks of colour: black, white, pink and light purple.
Oil painting of trees with sky behind a scene of models in a naturalistic setting. Blue water in bottom one third of image with a model floating face down. Shoreline with rocks in centre of image with human models on either side of the shore and a deer on a rock in the middle.Fake tree mimics painted tree behind it.
Painting of pink roses on a black background.

EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW