Sheila Norgate

Sheila Norgate (b. 1946) is a Canadian visual artist, writer, and performance practitioner based on Gabriola Island, British Columbia. Born in Calgary, Alberta, she studied psychology and sociology at the University of Calgary, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968. She worked in social work and administration before shifting her focus to visual art in the mid-1980s. She pursued formal artistic training at Emily Carr College of Art and Design (now Emily Carr University of Art + Design) in Vancouver, graduating with a Diploma in Fine Arts in 1992.

Norgate’s studio practice encompasses mixed-media painting, collage, printmaking, and text-based work. Her compositions frequently incorporate layered acrylics, found objects, vintage ephemera, and typography, addressing themes related to gender roles, feminism, domesticity, and human-animal relationships. Recurring imagery in her portfolio includes stylized dogs, birds, and mid-century consumer goods paired with satirical or narrative captions.

In addition to her two-dimensional art, Norgate has developed spoken-word and performance art pieces that integrate narrative storytelling, humor, and social commentary. She relocated her residence and studio to Gabriola Island, British Columbia, where she continues to live and work. Her artwork is represented in Canadian institutional and public collections, including the collection of the Art Bank of the Canada Council for the Arts.