Jo Manning 1923-2022
Jo Manning was one of Canada’s foremost etchers. Her printmaking career spanned the years 1960 to 1980. During this time she was an executive member of the Canadian Society of Graphic Art, a member of the Canadian Society of Painter-etchers and Engravers, and a founding member of the Print and Drawing Council of Canada. She won many important awards for her etchings in Canada and abroad. In 1980, she became ill from exposure to acids, solvents and photoresists while teaching, and turned to drawing in ink, and painting in oil and watercolour.
Since childhood, her interests had been the forests and meadows where she spent many solitary hours drawing and photographing, and collecting material to take back to the studio. The etchings and paintings that resulted were strongly constructed, with fine detail, and presented as allegories.
Brief Bio
- Born Sidney, BC. 1923. Early childhood on Vancouver Island; school in Amherstburg, Ont.
- Honours Graduate, Ontario College of Art, Toronto, 1945.
- In 1962, began career as an etcher. Developed a unique way of etching line.
- Past President Canadian Society of Graphic Art, was active in printmaking, founding member Print and Drawing Council of Canada.
- Health hazards forced the artist to change media in 1982. Moved to a rural property in Ontario, Canada 1987. Paintings and ink drawings followed. Moved to Victoria, BC. Canada 1997.
After a Life Well Lived, She Chose Her Time to Go
Feature article by Dave Obee
Editor and Publisher, Victoria Times Colonist
Contact: Jomanning.estate@gmail.com