Bio
Eliot Wright is a Toronto-based photographer, educator and curator whose work focuses on the complexities of landscape, frequently investigating notions of place and transition. His images stem directly from exploration: a desire to be present in the world, to look closely and to think about how spaces are shaped.
Wright’s photographs are regularly exhibited in diverse venues in Canada, including Urbanspace Gallery, Toronto and the Nova Scotia Museum of Industry, Stellarton, and have been presented in notable publications such as Canadian Art and the Magenta Foundation’s Flash Forward. Born and raised in Newfoundland, Wright received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Photography from NSCAD University and a Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Media at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). He currently teaches photography in the School of Image Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University and works as a freelance photographer.
Wright’s photographs are regularly exhibited in diverse venues in Canada, including Urbanspace Gallery, Toronto and the Nova Scotia Museum of Industry, Stellarton, and have been presented in notable publications such as Canadian Art and the Magenta Foundation’s Flash Forward. Born and raised in Newfoundland, Wright received a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Major in Photography from NSCAD University and a Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Media at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University). He currently teaches photography in the School of Image Arts at Toronto Metropolitan University and works as a freelance photographer.
CV
Education
2015–2017 // Toronto Metropolitan University, MFA in Documentary Media, Toronto, ON
2009–2012 // NSCAD University, BFA in Fine Art: Major in Photography, Halifax, NS
2015–2017 // Toronto Metropolitan University, MFA in Documentary Media, Toronto, ON
2009–2012 // NSCAD University, BFA in Fine Art: Major in Photography, Halifax, NS
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2021 // Foundry, Public Installation, Former Dominion Wheel and Foundries, Toronto, ON
2019 // Further Along The Road, CONTACT Photography Festival Feature Exhibition, Urbanspace Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017 // On Dupont, Site-Specific Exhibition, City of Toronto Archives, Toronto, ON
2017 // On Dupont, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Art Square Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017 // On Dupont, Public Installation, Galleria Shopping Centre, Toronto, ON
2014–2015 // What Remains: The Nova Scotia Industrial Project (with Liz Wright), Nova Scotia Museum of Industry, Stellarton, NS
2014 // Observations from an Odyssey, PHOTOPOLIS: The Halifax Festival of Photography, Keshen Goodman Library, Halifax, NS
2012 // Observations from an Odyssey, Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS
2021 // Foundry, Public Installation, Former Dominion Wheel and Foundries, Toronto, ON
2019 // Further Along The Road, CONTACT Photography Festival Feature Exhibition, Urbanspace Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017 // On Dupont, Site-Specific Exhibition, City of Toronto Archives, Toronto, ON
2017 // On Dupont, MFA Thesis Exhibition, Art Square Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017 // On Dupont, Public Installation, Galleria Shopping Centre, Toronto, ON
2014–2015 // What Remains: The Nova Scotia Industrial Project (with Liz Wright), Nova Scotia Museum of Industry, Stellarton, NS
2014 // Observations from an Odyssey, PHOTOPOLIS: The Halifax Festival of Photography, Keshen Goodman Library, Halifax, NS
2012 // Observations from an Odyssey, Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS
Selected Group Exhibition
2023 // Biennial Juried Exhibition, Glenhyrst Art Gallery, Brantford, ON
2022 // Photorama 2022, Gallery TPW, Toronto, ON
2015 // I AM NSCAD Alumni Exhibition (Group Show), Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS
2012 // NSCAD University 2012 Graduation Exhibition (Group Show), Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS
2011 // Antlers, (Group Show), Gallery 2053, Halifax, NS
2011 // Starfish Student Art Awards Exhibition (Group Show), Port Loggia Gallery Halifax, NS
2023 // Biennial Juried Exhibition, Glenhyrst Art Gallery, Brantford, ON
2022 // Photorama 2022, Gallery TPW, Toronto, ON
2015 // I AM NSCAD Alumni Exhibition (Group Show), Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS
2012 // NSCAD University 2012 Graduation Exhibition (Group Show), Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS
2011 // Antlers, (Group Show), Gallery 2053, Halifax, NS
2011 // Starfish Student Art Awards Exhibition (Group Show), Port Loggia Gallery Halifax, NS
Curatorial Experience
2022 // Don Wright: Gathering Tides, The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery, St. John’s, NL
2017–21 // Chang School Photography Exhibition, Toronto Metropolitan University, Chang School of Continuing Education, Toronto, ON
2022 // Don Wright: Gathering Tides, The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery, St. John’s, NL
2017–21 // Chang School Photography Exhibition, Toronto Metropolitan University, Chang School of Continuing Education, Toronto, ON
Auctions
2014 // Roar: An Art Auction for NSCAD, NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2014 // Roar: An Art Auction for NSCAD, NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
Awards
2018 // Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto, ON
2017 // Ryerson Gold Medal, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON
2016 // Joseph Armand Bombardier Award (CGS-M), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
2015 // Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON
2014 // Arts Nova Scotia Presentation Grant, Halifax, NS
2013 // Arts Nova Scotia Creation Grant, Halifax, NS
2011 // Roloff Beny Photography Scholarship, NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2011 // Starfish Student Art Award Runner-up, Halifax, NS
2011 // Alan and Christine Hunt Award, NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2010 // Alexander J. McDonald Memorial Award, NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
Selected Professional Experience
2022–present // Photography Studies Coordinator, Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2017–2020 // Production/Project Manager, Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art, Toronto, ON
2016–17 // Co-chair, DocNow 2017 Festival, Toronto Metropolitan University, MFA in Documentary Media, Toronto, ON
2014–15 // Special Events Coordinator and Alumni Relation, NSCAD University, Office of University Relations, Halifax, NS
2011–15 // Photographer (Events + Studio), NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2014–15 // Jury Member, ViewPoint Gallery Photo Competition, ViewPoint Gallery of Contemporary Photography, Halifax, NS
2013–15 // Vice President, Photopolis Society, PHOTOPOLIS: The Halifax Festival of Photography, Halifax, NS
2013 // Assistant Director, ViewPoint Gallery of Contemporary Photography, Halifax, NS
2018 // Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto, ON
2017 // Ryerson Gold Medal, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON
2016 // Joseph Armand Bombardier Award (CGS-M), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)
2015 // Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON
2014 // Arts Nova Scotia Presentation Grant, Halifax, NS
2013 // Arts Nova Scotia Creation Grant, Halifax, NS
2011 // Roloff Beny Photography Scholarship, NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2011 // Starfish Student Art Award Runner-up, Halifax, NS
2011 // Alan and Christine Hunt Award, NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2010 // Alexander J. McDonald Memorial Award, NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
Selected Professional Experience
2022–present // Photography Studies Coordinator, Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2017–2020 // Production/Project Manager, Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art, Toronto, ON
2016–17 // Co-chair, DocNow 2017 Festival, Toronto Metropolitan University, MFA in Documentary Media, Toronto, ON
2014–15 // Special Events Coordinator and Alumni Relation, NSCAD University, Office of University Relations, Halifax, NS
2011–15 // Photographer (Events + Studio), NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2014–15 // Jury Member, ViewPoint Gallery Photo Competition, ViewPoint Gallery of Contemporary Photography, Halifax, NS
2013–15 // Vice President, Photopolis Society, PHOTOPOLIS: The Halifax Festival of Photography, Halifax, NS
2013 // Assistant Director, ViewPoint Gallery of Contemporary Photography, Halifax, NS
Selected Teaching Experience
2023 // MPS 606 Photography Production, Winter 2023, Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2023 // DM 8216 Fundamentals of Media II, Winter 2023, Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2022 // MPS 307 The Photographic Print, Fall 2022, Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2022 // DM 8226 Master's Project Development II, Spring 2022, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2021 // DM 8216 Fundamentals of Media II, Winter 2021, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2020 // MPS 307 The Photographic Print, Fall 2020, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2020 // MPS 106 Photography Production, Fall 2020, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2019 // MPS 506 Photography Production, Fall 2019, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2019 // MPS 408 Photography Production, Winter 2019, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2016–17 // Graduate Assistant, Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2016 // CDFP 418, Landscape Photography, Teaching Assistant, Spring/Summer 2016 Toronto Metropolitan University Chang School of Continuing Education, Toronto, ON
2013 // Summer Youth Camp in Photography, Instructor, ViewPoint Gallery of Contemporary Photography, Halifax, NS
2012–2013 // Intro to Black and White Photography, Instructor, NSCAD University School of Extended Studies, Halifax, NS
2023 // MPS 606 Photography Production, Winter 2023, Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2023 // DM 8216 Fundamentals of Media II, Winter 2023, Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2022 // MPS 307 The Photographic Print, Fall 2022, Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2022 // DM 8226 Master's Project Development II, Spring 2022, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2021 // DM 8216 Fundamentals of Media II, Winter 2021, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2020 // MPS 307 The Photographic Print, Fall 2020, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2020 // MPS 106 Photography Production, Fall 2020, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2019 // MPS 506 Photography Production, Fall 2019, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2019 // MPS 408 Photography Production, Winter 2019, Toronto Metropolitan University School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2016–17 // Graduate Assistant, Toronto Metropolitan University, School of Image Arts, Toronto, ON
2016 // CDFP 418, Landscape Photography, Teaching Assistant, Spring/Summer 2016 Toronto Metropolitan University Chang School of Continuing Education, Toronto, ON
2013 // Summer Youth Camp in Photography, Instructor, ViewPoint Gallery of Contemporary Photography, Halifax, NS
2012–2013 // Intro to Black and White Photography, Instructor, NSCAD University School of Extended Studies, Halifax, NS
Lectures/Talks
2022 // Curator’s Talk | Don Wright: Gathering Tides, The Rooms, St. John’s, NL
2019 // Artist Talk, Further Along The Road, Urbanspace Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017 // Lecture, On Dupont, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
2017 // Presenter, Magenta Foundation's "Flash Forward/Flash Back," Ryerson Image Centre, Toronto, ON
2014 // Panelist, Life as a Photographer, PHOTOPOLIS Symposium: Inside Photography: Issues, Practices & Perspectives, Halifax, NS
2014 // Artist Talk, Observations from an Odyssey, Keshen Goodman Library, Halifax, NS
2014 // Lecture, Second Friday Series: What Remains, ViewPoint Gallery, Halifax, NS
2013 // Lecture, Second Friday Series: Observations from an Odyssey, ViewPoint Gallery Halifax, NS
2012 // Artist Talk, Observations from an Odyssey, Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS
2022 // Curator’s Talk | Don Wright: Gathering Tides, The Rooms, St. John’s, NL
2019 // Artist Talk, Further Along The Road, Urbanspace Gallery, Toronto, ON
2017 // Lecture, On Dupont, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
2017 // Presenter, Magenta Foundation's "Flash Forward/Flash Back," Ryerson Image Centre, Toronto, ON
2014 // Panelist, Life as a Photographer, PHOTOPOLIS Symposium: Inside Photography: Issues, Practices & Perspectives, Halifax, NS
2014 // Artist Talk, Observations from an Odyssey, Keshen Goodman Library, Halifax, NS
2014 // Lecture, Second Friday Series: What Remains, ViewPoint Gallery, Halifax, NS
2013 // Lecture, Second Friday Series: Observations from an Odyssey, ViewPoint Gallery Halifax, NS
2012 // Artist Talk, Observations from an Odyssey, Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, NS
Selected Publications/Reviews/Interviews
2023 // Laneway home (featured photographs), Published January 11, 2023, The Globe and Mail, Toronto, ON
2022 // Don Wright: Gathering Tides interview, The Broadcast with Russell Bowers, Aired October 4, 2022, CBC Radio Newfoundland
2022 // Don Wright: Gathering Tides interview, Weekend AM with Heather Barrett, Aired July 23, 2022, CBC Radio Newfoundland
2020 // Nights Below Foord Street by Peter Thompson. Published by McGill–Queens University Press, Montreal, QC and Kingston, ON
2019 // 7 Unmissable Exhibits at the Contact Photography Festival 2019, Designlines Magazine, Toronto, ON
2018 // F-Stop Magazine, Group Exhibition, http://www.fstopmagazine.com/pastissues/88/
2016 // Flash Forward 2016, published by the Magenta Foundation, Toronto, ON
2015 // NSCAD University Annual Report, 2014–2015. Photography: cover, portraits and events (see credits), published by NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2014 // CBC Radio One interview for “What Remains” on Mainstreet 90.5 fm, December 15, 2014, Halifax, NS
2014 // The Chronicle Herald: “Weekend Focus: Industrial Art//born of toil and sweat,” written by Aaron Beswick. Saturday, December 13, 2014, V65 N296, Cover + page 4.
2014 // Nova Scotia Communities, Culture, and Heritage, What Remains: The Nova Scotia Industrial Project. http://cch.novascotia.ca/stories/what-remains-nova-scotia-industrial-project
2014 // Pictou Advocate: “Industry and art collide.” Review by Heather Brimicombe. Wed, October 22, 2014. Vol 121, No 43, Cover + page 3
2014 // New Glasgow News: “Art and industry intersect in new exhibit.” Review by Amanda Jess. Monday, October 20, 2014, Cover + pg 2
2014 // NSCAD University Annual Report, 2013–2014. Photography: cover, campus details + portraits and events (see credits), published by NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2013 // Canadian Art, Observations #3 in “Smart Guide” Canadian Art Foundation, Winter 2013, Page 54, Toronto, ON
2013 // NSCAD University Annual Report, 2012–2013. Photography: pages 2, 4, 7, 10, 16, 20, 26, published by NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2012 // PhotoEd Magazine, Photography Education in Canada: Feat. Artist for Observations from an Odyssey, Fall 2012 – Issue 35, Page 12, Toronto, ON
2012 // NSCAD University 2012 Graduation Catalogue, NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2010 // The Scope, Cover Photo, Issue 106, vol. 5, #10, March 20, 2010, St. John’s, NL
2023 // Laneway home (featured photographs), Published January 11, 2023, The Globe and Mail, Toronto, ON
2022 // Don Wright: Gathering Tides interview, The Broadcast with Russell Bowers, Aired October 4, 2022, CBC Radio Newfoundland
2022 // Don Wright: Gathering Tides interview, Weekend AM with Heather Barrett, Aired July 23, 2022, CBC Radio Newfoundland
2020 // Nights Below Foord Street by Peter Thompson. Published by McGill–Queens University Press, Montreal, QC and Kingston, ON
2019 // 7 Unmissable Exhibits at the Contact Photography Festival 2019, Designlines Magazine, Toronto, ON
2018 // F-Stop Magazine, Group Exhibition, http://www.fstopmagazine.com/pastissues/88/
2016 // Flash Forward 2016, published by the Magenta Foundation, Toronto, ON
2015 // NSCAD University Annual Report, 2014–2015. Photography: cover, portraits and events (see credits), published by NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2014 // CBC Radio One interview for “What Remains” on Mainstreet 90.5 fm, December 15, 2014, Halifax, NS
2014 // The Chronicle Herald: “Weekend Focus: Industrial Art//born of toil and sweat,” written by Aaron Beswick. Saturday, December 13, 2014, V65 N296, Cover + page 4.
2014 // Nova Scotia Communities, Culture, and Heritage, What Remains: The Nova Scotia Industrial Project. http://cch.novascotia.ca/stories/what-remains-nova-scotia-industrial-project
2014 // Pictou Advocate: “Industry and art collide.” Review by Heather Brimicombe. Wed, October 22, 2014. Vol 121, No 43, Cover + page 3
2014 // New Glasgow News: “Art and industry intersect in new exhibit.” Review by Amanda Jess. Monday, October 20, 2014, Cover + pg 2
2014 // NSCAD University Annual Report, 2013–2014. Photography: cover, campus details + portraits and events (see credits), published by NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2013 // Canadian Art, Observations #3 in “Smart Guide” Canadian Art Foundation, Winter 2013, Page 54, Toronto, ON
2013 // NSCAD University Annual Report, 2012–2013. Photography: pages 2, 4, 7, 10, 16, 20, 26, published by NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2012 // PhotoEd Magazine, Photography Education in Canada: Feat. Artist for Observations from an Odyssey, Fall 2012 – Issue 35, Page 12, Toronto, ON
2012 // NSCAD University 2012 Graduation Catalogue, NSCAD University, Halifax, NS
2010 // The Scope, Cover Photo, Issue 106, vol. 5, #10, March 20, 2010, St. John’s, NL