Collection: Kim Ondaatje

Kim Ondaatje (b. 1928) is a celebrated Canadian painter, photographer, and documentary filmmaker born in Toronto, Ontario. Her multidisciplinary practice spans painting, photography, and film, often reflecting themes of domestic life, industrial landscapes, and Canadian heritage. Ondaatje’s notable series include The House on Piccadilly Street, Hill Series, and Factory Series, each revealing a deep sensitivity to space, memory, and environment.

In the early 1960s, she shifted her focus entirely to art after earning an M.A. in Canadian literature. A founding member of Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC), she was instrumental in advocating for artists’ rights. Ondaatje also documented traditional quilt-making in Ontario and produced several award-winning documentary films.

In 2009, she received the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts. Her work has been exhibited nationally and is held in major public collections including the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Source