Tobie Steinhouse

Tobie’s art is recognized world-wide. She has been included in preeminent international printmaking Biennials in Chile, England, Scotland, Venezuela, Italy, Switzerland, and the United States. Additionally, her work is represented in the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, The External Affairs Ministry of Canada, The Winnipeg Art Gallery, The Canadian Embassy in Moscow, The McMicheal Canadian Art Collection, The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, The Montreal Contemporary Art Museum (Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal), and The National Gallery of Canada. Recently, a major retrospective of Tobie was held at Stewart Hall in Pointe-Claire in 2012, and Galerie Jean-Claude Bergeron had an exhibition of her work in 2015.

Tobie Steinhouse was tremendously influenced by Anne Savage's modern view on art and the art world; she was especially inspired by Anne's progressive pursuits concerning female independence and repute in the male-dominated art sphere. For example, Savage was involved in the Beaver Hall Group– an all-women art collective striving for a "new kind of art," which Steinhouse recalls as demonstrating Savage's inspiring "modern way of looking" that informed her own work. Additionally, Savage was involved in Les Fammeuses – an all-women charity art show under the aegis of Savage in 1999. This show was originally conceived to showcase established female artists, but also to provide a platform for up-and-coming female artists to present their work, in order to raise money and support women and children who have been victims of domestic violence. It started in 1986 as a small event hosting 300 visitors, but since then has become a highly reputable show raising tens of thousands of dollars, attracting thousands of people to significantly support both female artists and females in the community who are in need. Steinhouse looks back at her participation in this show with appreciation and fondness. Anne Savage later became a cherished friend of Tobie's, becoming the godmother to her son.

Tobie Steinhouse has earned many awards and honors. These include: the Jessie Dow Prize for Painting in 1967, the Sterling Trust Award of the Society of Canadian Painters, Etchers, and Engravers, the Canadian Centennial Medal in 1967, and the Purchase Award from the Thomas Moore Institute in 1999.

After graduating from École des Beaux-Arts de Paris, various reputable French art galleries began to feature work. These include the Salon de l’Art Libre, the Salon d’Automne, and the Salon de la Jeune Peinture. Tobie's first solo exhibition occurred in 1957 at Galerie Lara Vincy. Shortly after this exhibition, she worked in the studio of abstract painter Arpad Szenes. In 1961, Steinhouse began working at Atelier 17 with Stanley William Hayter, known now as one of the most significant printmakers of the 20th century. After her time in Paris, Steinhouse returned to Montréal with her husband. She became a founding member of L’atelier Libre de Recherches Graphiques and La Guilde Graphique. Additionally, Steinhouse became the president of the Canadian Group of Painters in 1967, and was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1972. Later in her career, Tobie taught printmaking at McGill University, and studied Japanese calligraphy under Hiroko Okata. To Steinhouse, calligraphy creates a serene space where artists can investigate the relationship between looking and doing. She received awards for her calligraphy at the International Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy competition, held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

Steinhouse married CBC producer and author Herbert Steinhouse in 1947. They met while she was studying at the Art Students’ League in New York. At the time, Herbert was volunteering for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and was doing his master's degree at the New School for Social Research. While they were in Paris, Herbert was on a Canada Council grant to write a book. Together, they have two sons. Tobie now lives in Westmount in Montréal, Quebec. While she was working at McGill University teaching printmaking, one of her students accidentally poured acid directly onto a plate without diluting it, causing damage to her throat; a lifetime of using strong acids in the etching process exacerbated this damage. Consequently, Steinhouse speaks softly.

Tobie Steinhouse earned a diploma from Sir George-Williams University in Montréal (now Concordia University) in Engineering Drawing. After graduation, she was hired as a draughtswoman, designing Anson warplanes from 1944 to 1945. During this time, she also worked for the Royal Canadian Air Force illustrating manuals. At the end of the war, Steinhouse attended the renowned Art Students League of New York with a scholarship to study art. After she graduated, Tobie went to Paris, France to study art further at the École des Beaux-Arts de Paris.

Tobie Steinhouse RCA (born April 1, 1925) is a Canadian painter and printmaker.