Artist's Statement:
"My paintings are not based on self analysis, nor are they inspired by any desire of mine to change the society in which I live. They are a direct response to the visual impact of the world I know."

Mary Frances West Pratt was born in 1935 in New Brunswick. Since both of her parents were amateur painters, Mary received ample support to pursue a career in art as well. While studying art at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, she met Christopher Pratt, then a pre-medical student. She was instrumental in convincing him to take up art studies. They were married in 1957 and eventually, in 1961, graduated together from Mount Allison with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

They moved to St. John's and it became Mary's prime task to care for their young children for the years to follow. Only when the children were older did she have more time to devote to her art. At her husband's suggestion, she increasingly used the camera to take reference snapshots that captured the instantaneous quality she sought. Her subjects continued to be such items as dirty dishes, fish and meat, fruit and vegetables, flowers, and other objects of daily life.

In 1973, her paintings were shown at Erindale College, University of Toronto, and in the same year, a retrospective of her work was held at Memorial Hall in St. John's. In 1975, she took part in a show of seven women artists at the National Gallery of Canada which was the result of a rigorous selection process.

Since the 1970's, Mary Pratt has steadily built a national recognition for her photo realist paintings and for her active role in cultural affairs. She recently received the Companion of the Order of Canada, as well as numerous honorary degrees from universities across the country.

In 1981-82, the Exhibition Mary Pratt, a 12-year Survey was held at the London Ontario Regional Art Gallery and was well received. She has since held numerous exhibitions at Mira Godard Gallery in Toronto and in 1995 was the subject of the travelling survey exhibition The Art of Mary Pratt at Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Mary Pratt lives and works in Newfoundland.