Keith Morant

Keith Morant, (born England 1944) is an international award-winning abstract contemporary artist best known for his vibrant, celebratory works in New Zealand and Italy.
Life and work
Born in England, Morant worked and exhibited in London until 1973 when he moved to New Zealand and settled in Christchurch. He has drawn and painted obsessively for as long as he can remember and, while classically trained, has always followed his own path of individual expression.
In 1985 he was awarded the New Zealand Montana National Art Award. However, while he is a Nationalized 'Kiwi' and full-time painter, he does not classify himself as a 'local' or 'regional' artist.
Since the 1980s he has exhibited extensively on the international stage, holding shows in New York, Miami, Toronto, London, Tokyo, Beijing, Melbourne, Istanbul, Valencia, Italy and lately Madrid. He has won many International awards. These included the 2007 Florence Biennale Lorenzo Il Magnifico Award. 'Premio alla Carriera (Lifetime Achievement in Art), the 2008 the 'Premio Ercole D’Este della Critica (Critics Choice) award and in 2009 he was honoured at the Premio San Valentino International Art Exhibition with first prize, 'President of the Republic's Medal'(Italy).
2010 and 2011 saw him honoured with awards for services to art in Ferrara, Italy. In 2013 he received with The 'Peoples Choice Award' at an International exhibition held in Bologna and a special citation from the Vajra art project in Nepal.
In 2014 Morant exhibited in Bologna again and held a solo show at Materia Grigia gallery in Venice. In New Zealand he held a special solo show at Eastside gallery of seventy new works in celebration of his seventieth birthday.
Honours
2018: Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery, Auckland New Zealand. Morant and his wife were once again offered the vast Auckland Buddhist Temple for a major exhibition of paintings and ceramics. This show ran from 4 August to 31 December 2018.
2017: Establishing of the 'Morant Foundation', a legal trust set up by the Morants to benefit arts communities within New Zealand. Two separate exhibitions were staged in Christchurch galleries where over thirty artists could show their works completely free of any charges or commissions.
2017: Major exhibition of over 200 works at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery, Christchurch, New Zealand. This International Buddhist organization gave their whole Temple to Morant and his wife for an exhibition lasting five months.
2017: Honored with Artist's residency of one month in Venice by Art And Soul organization. Morant and his wife Patricia were given an apartment and separate studio facilities for the month of April concluding with an exhibition of work done.
2016: Certificate of Excellence Award. Manhattan Arts International, New York. Exhibition 'Hot Topics'.
2015: Monetary Award. Manhattan International Art, New York. Exhibition "The Healing Power of Art'.
2014/5: Palm Award. International art. Leipzig, Germany.
2013: Honorary plaque and citation from the Vajra Art Project, Kathmandu, Tibet.
2011: Trevisan Special Award for services to art. Castle Estense, Ferrara, Italy.
2010: Peoples Choice award at 'Little Treasures' Trevisan International Art, Bologna Italy.
2009:
* Premio San Valentino International art exhibition, (Taranto, Puglia) Southern Italy. First Prize. 'Medaglia del Presidente della Repubblica' (The President of the Republic's Medal).
2008: Exhibition: Trevisan International Art 'Traces of Memory', Estense Castle, Ferrara, Italy.
:Award: "Premio Ercole D'Este della Critica Award" (Critics Choice)
*2008 Exhibition of International Art, 'San Valentino' Vico del Garno, Italy.
Award: "Premio Internazionale"
2007:
* Biennale Internazionale Dell'Arte Contemporanea, Florence, Italy.
:Award:"Lorenzo il Magnifico, Premio alla Carriera" for 'Lifetime Achievement in Art'
*2007: Award from Trevisan International Art. Exhibition 'The Spirit in Art', Estense Castle, Ferrara, Italy.
Award: "Manifestation of the Spirit in Art"
1985:
Montana Lindauer Art Award (11th), New Zealand. Source: Herald (Gisborne, N.Z.), 1 May 1985, p1; Auckland star (Auckland, New Zealand. 1 May 1985, B7; New Zealand herald (Auckland, N.Z.), 2 May 1985, p 20
Written work
* 'Art Notes' (The Psychology of Creativity) published by World Art Media, New York Arts Magazine Vols 11-3/4, 11-5/6, 2006
* Interview with Yilmaz Zenger. NY Arts Magazine Vol 11-9/10 2006
* Music For Manhattan reviewed by Simone Cappa, NY Arts vol 1/2 2007
* Review 'Contemporary Hieroglyphics' by Jill Smith. NY Arts Magazine. 2008
* 'Premiato a Ferrara e a Firenze' Article in 'Art Journal'. Italy. 2008

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu