Keith Morant, morantart.com, (April 14, 1944 – January 11, 2022), was an internationally acclaimed artist, artist’s advocate and humanitarian based in Christchurch, New Zealand. He was an innovative and prolific painter for over 50 years. His abstract art is characterized by unique curvilinear forms and symbols, contrasting colors, and kinetic expression. The inimitable artist exhibited in galleries and art centers throughout the world. He received innumerable distinguished awards including the ‘Lifetime Achievement In Art’ award at the Florence Biennale, the ‘Palm International Art’ award, Leipzig, Germany and the “Peoples Choice Award” at an International exhibition in Bologna, Italy. He was a multiple award-winning member of Manhattan Arts International for more than 20 years.
Originally written in January, 2022 with updates in 2023 and 2024.
“Songs for Remembrance Exhibition – A Memorial to Keith Morant” was presented at Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery in Christchurch, New Zealand through June 5, 2022.
Banner image: Detail of “Preview”, painting by Keith Morant.
Keith Morant in his studio.
After hearing the painful news about Keith Morant’s death, on January 11, 2022, in an email from his wife Trish, I was devastated and yet grateful to have had the good fortune to meet Keith and Trish several years ago when they came to NYC, NY. Keith’s warmth, enthusiasm, and profound wisdom made an immediate and indelible impact on me. I felt the need to transform the pain I felt into this loving tribute to Keith Morant.
Here you will find some of Keith’s extraordinary and distinctive art, highlights from Keith’s page on this website, excerpts from articles he wrote here and on my other website Renee-Phillips.com. You can also read the expressions of condolences and memories of Keith submitted by his fellow members of Manhattan Arts International and comments from Facebook.
This special tribute will give you an idea of how Keith and his spirit of generosity touched many lives in positive and memorable ways. I hope this will bring comfort to his wife Trisha, his entire family, and the multitude of friends and admirers Keith had.
Inimitable Artist, Writer, Artist Advocate, Humanitarian, and So Much More
Awards and Humanitarianism
Keith’s many awards from Manhattan Arts International included an Award of Excellence in the Manhattan Arts International, “Hot Topics – Bold Expressions” juried exhibition, curated by James Bacchi, owner of Arthaus Gallery in San Francisco, CA. In 2015 Keith Morant won the Second Place Cash Award in the Manhattan Arts International “The Healing Power of ART” juried competition. The exhibition included his painting “Tonic”, a mixed media painting, 30″ x 30″, shown above.
Keith’s work won a top monetary award. When I informed Keith that he received this award he did not want to accept the money. He immediately replied with a request that I donate his cash award to a worthwhile artist’s charity of my choice — any organization that gives financial support to artists in need.
Keith Established the Morant Foundation
In 2017 Keith Morant established the Morant Foundation, a Trust based in Christchurch, New Zealand to facilitate and create a higher awareness of art and artists of New Zealand. He wrote, “Many fine creators in this region fail to gain due recognition for their work and it is our hope that, through exhibitions and promotion, we may create a greater awareness of their prowess.” The Morant Foundation was established to arrange exhibitions with no cost or commissions to the artist.
An Interview with Keith Morant and His Profound Article
Keith with his painting “Neural Dance”, mixed media on canvas, 36″ x 62″.
In an interview with Keith which you can read in its entirety on the Renee-Phillips.com website, I asked him about his creative process. He replied: “My creative process is a continual psychological and emotional necessity that emanates from a deep inner compulsion. I have been painting since childhood and I have learned well that the reasoning behind much of the creative conflict that took place in earlier paintings was based on the opposition between conscious decision-making and intuitive responses. It is only now, after years of continuous effort, that I realize and accept that my intuition must find expression over and above my intellect. This is the dichotomy fundamental to all creative temperaments. It is the battleground of all that is schizoid in art.”
Keith wrote an article for us in 2016 titled “Quality in Art and the Artist’s Ego” he emphasized the importance of the artist being secondary to the art. He wrote, “I believe that if the artist of today is to rise above the banality of novelty and escape the seductive forces of popularity and material gain then he must be prepared to sacrifice much. By ‘sacrifice’ I refer to that which T. S. Eliot meant when he said: “The progress of an artist is a continual self-sacrifice, a continual extinction of personality’”.
Keith’s Homage to Miro
In an article here on the Manhattan Arts International website in which I asked members to share their stories Keith sent us an image of his painting “Perilous Route”, mixed media, 36” x 36”, shown above. He wrote “This painting is my homage to Joan Miro. When exhibiting in Spain I was fortunate enough to spend a day at the great Miro Foundation and, on returning home, this was my painting of homage. Miro said: `I have managed to escape into the absolute of nature. I know that I am travelling a perilous route and I confess that I am often seized with panic, the panic of following unexplored paths to an unknown destination’. I like to think that the master was smiling down on me as I worked – we both signed it.”
Artists Share Their Memories of Keith, Their Appreciation, and Condolences
“Syncopation”, mixed media on canvas, 35″ x 45″ by Keith Morant
“Keith Morant’s paintings are very spiritual. I followed his articles, life and art for many years. We met in Florence, as I was fortunate to be exhibiting in the same room, along with many artists from all over the world. Keith made us all feel welcome and assisted anyone in need. He made the show extra memorable. A truly amazing artist, community was important to Keith who offered assistance to artists worldwide. He will truly be missed by so many.” ~ Nancy Reyner
“Along with other creatives, I feel privileged that Keith took the time to encourage and further my art career. It’s been a pleasure to have been welcomed into his and his wife Trisha’s home and studios. Keith was instrumental in encouraging me to contact you (Manhattan Arts International) and also in encouraging me to apply for a Venetian artist in residency. He took the time to personally write to the organisers to introduce me. It’s been one of the highlights of my career.” ~ Ruth Reid (comment on Facebook)
“Keith had so many attributes that distinguished him as a great artist…”
Aspirations by Keith Morant
“Keith had so many attributes that distinguished him as a great artist. Inspirational, and a leader in challenging the mediocre, his paintings and philosophies gave us a new appreciation for how we see the world and how we are shaped by cultural expectations. He gave us the ability to be introspective – an important gift for challenging our own thoughts and social conditioning (good and bad). This was one of his greatest gifts. By questioning why we feel a certain way, or how we are applying our visual articulation, we can make our own work stronger and more meaningful. Keith’s work was invigorating, buzzing with colour and energy. It was unique, vibrant, comforting, expressive, and iconic. Keith leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire others, and which his family can be proud of. Keith’s journey was inspirationally sculpted with each brush stroke he made, and has made a lasting impact. Heartfelt sympathies.” ~ Andrea Robinson
“He cared for everyone he came in contact with…”
Canziona Para Espana, mixed media on canvas 24″ x 30″ by Keith Morant
“My deepest sadness for his loss. He cared for everyone he came in contact with, I will always remember the first time we met in Italy and his energy to connect and care with everyone. He will be missed for sure and has contributed his energy and art in this life. That is the best we can leave behind. Trish, know we are here for you in case you need anything. You made a huge contribution to his life by giving him the freedom and love. Cherish that gift you were able to give. Much love to you and prayers for his soul.” ~ Nadiya Jinnah (comment on Facebook)
“His amazing tenacity and dedication to his Art…”
SEA SONG, MIXED MEDIA ON CANVAS, 24″ X 36” by Keith Morant
“Keith and I first met in Christchurch New Zealand in 1974; both newly arrived from the UK, both forging careers in Art and the Law respectively. We became the greatest of friends, and over the years until my return to the UK in 1997 I was lucky enough to spend countless hours with Keith and Trish. I remember long evenings talking, discussing, enjoying fine wine and putting the world to rights. He was everything that others have said, and a lot more. His amazing tenacity and dedication to his Art in the face of many years of local indifference, backed up by Trish’s unswerving loyalty and support, always left me humbled and admiring. It took the USA, Europe, and Japan to finally recognise his talent and bring him the recognition he so thoroughly deserved. I treasure my memories, including visits more recently in NZ and UK, and also our small but priceless collection of his work. Keith, I love you and miss you, old chap. As Stephen Stills observed ‘Long may you Run’.” ~ Chris Knight
“Thank you Keith for your incredible dedication to your practise over a life time of colour. I am so inspired by your generosity and primary wish being to ‘stimulate and nourish others’. This is a rare person. Although I never met you personally I remembered instantly your recognizable and benevolent face of the art world. To me your paintings have so much colour, life, enthusiasm and grace. My favourite is ‘Canziona Para Espana’ (shown above). I am not sure where this is in the world but it lights my soul and I hope someone is appreciating it every it every day. I send much love to your family at this time. I feel you are one person who really lived life and your spirit will light the way for many generations to come.” ~ Kari Bienert
“Keith Morant was a pillar in the world wide artistic community…”
“Elysium” by Keith Morant
“Keith Morant was a pillar in the world wide artistic community, a durable legacy persisting well into the future through his beautiful artworks and his support of emerging artists. Two personal themes resonating with me are “when art becomes ‘accepted’, it indicates the recognition of its importance as a unique universal statement” and “creativity is a continual necessity that emanates from a deep inner compulsion… realizing and accepting that intuition must find expression over and above intellect.” May his artistic creativity continue to “stimulate and nourish” us all. ~ Peter N. Van Giesen
“Keith has touched so many with his powerful spirit and art…”
Dream for Poets by Keith Morant
“When I became member of Manhattans Art International I saw the art of Keith Morant for the first time and I was intrigued by his abstracts. I invited him to be my friend on facebook, because I wanted to learn. His paintings were so joyful and full of life. They made me smile, even in hard times. They made it easier to carry my own burden.” ~ Yvonne Welman
“I am so sorry. Keith has touched so many with his powerful spirit and art. May his spirit continue to touch this world with all he has done. We are better for knowing him and his art!” ~ Bren Sibilsky
“He was an inspiration to all as artist, writer, champion of the arts community…”
“Navigator” by Keith Morant
“Although I did not personally know Keith Morant, I am sad to hear of his loss. He was an inspiration to all as artist, writer, champion of the arts community. His perspective about how the artist must become secondary to their creation is a message I will take forward on my own artist’s journey. My condolences to Keith’s family/friends. Matter can be neither created nor destroyed, but can be rearranged in space or changed in form. Fly high in the heavens!” ~ Leanne Fink
“This is a beautiful tribute to Keith, Renee. Thank you for putting this together and for helping me learn more about him. I regret that our paths never crossed IRL.” ~ Barbara Rachko
“Keith always had a kind word for everyone. This is a beautiful tribute for a beautiful man. He was a true Facebook friend and fellow artist.” ~ Casey Shannon
“So terribly sorry to hear of Keith’s passing. We used to email back an forth and he had plans to someday travel to Alberta but alas he never made it. I believe he was a very unique artist who maintained his residency in New Zealand. I have the greatest respect for his commitment to interpreting nature thru his marvellous abstractions. I certainly send my condolences to his family!!!” ~ Poul Nielsen
“Thank you Renee for putting this together. It fills in the gaps in my knowledge about Keith’s work. I met Keith and Trish through their continued support of a local exhibition space for beginning artists, in Christchurch, New Zealand. As is common in New Zealand, artists are more recognised oversea’s than they are here but Keith and Trish always returned home to support local artists and encourage beginners. Keith’s passing is a huge loss to the arts community here and worldwide.” ~ Julie-Anne Whitson
“I was very lucky to know Keith and gained so much from his enthusiasm, experience and general attitude to the arts. Looking back, I wish I’d made more effort to meet with him more often as he lived not far at all. I feel very fortunate to own 3 of his paintings and other snippets of written works where he excelled and had the ease of transporting you into his world. Wonderful to still have contact with Trish who is a very talented potter in her own right. Think of you often Keith…” ~ Ruth Killoran
Keith Morant’s Essays: “Art Notes”
“It is my wish that my own work, while initially seen only by the eye, will eventually be perceived by mind, and thus prove conducive to some small expansion of human consciousness.”
Keith was also a prolific writer and published a series of profound essays on his website titled “Art Notes”. In one essay he wrote: “I have been painting now for over forty years and I believe such experience has given me an evolving advantage where sometimes satisfactory conclusions may be reached. However, every painting is a totally new experiment and I know that I will never live long enough to experience any form of ultimate satisfaction or so-called success. What small accomplishments I do experience must stay deep within myself in the knowledge that they may not necessarily communicate their fullest potential right away. I must always work for the future in the hope that someday my understanding beyond knowledge will communicate whatever it is that nature is saying through me. It is my wish that my own work, while initially seen only by the eye, will eventually be perceived by mind, and thus prove conducive to some small expansion of human consciousness.”
Keith Morant’s painting selected for ‘The Spirit of Resilience” is titled “Morantivirus”. With his entries he wrote, “In these troubled times of unreliable politicians and a raging pandemic, we must all look to new strength for our continued survival. The key word is resilience to all that may befall and art is especially valuable as a statement to that end. Resilience through our creative power is the strongest opposition to the destructive elements that threaten us.”
Keith and I first met in Christchurch New Zealand in 1974; both newly arrived from the UK, both forging careers in Art and the Law respectively. We became the greatest of friends, and over the years until my return to the UK in 1997 I was lucky enough to spend countless hours with Keith and Trish. I remember long evenings talking, discussing, enjoying fine wine and putting the world to rights. He was everything that others have said, and a lot more. His amazing tenacity and dedication to his Art in the face of many years of local indifference, backed up by Trish’s unswerving loyalty and support, always left me humbled and admiring. It took the USA, Europe, and Japan to finally recognise his talent and bring him the recognition he so thoroughly deserved. I treasure my memories, including visits more recently in NZ and UK, and also our small but priceless collection of his work. Keith, I love you and miss you, old chap. As Stephen Stills observed ‘Long may you Run’
Chris, Thank you very much for your comment. In case our visitors don’t scroll down to read all of the comments I moved what you wrote to a prominent place in the article above. You’ll find it below “Sea Song”. How lucky were you to spend countless hours with Keith and Trish. All the best, Renee