Educated at King’s College, University of Durham (now University of Newcastle) and the London Film School.

First paid employment was in a photographic lab. and for several summer seasons Marner worked as a candid photographer at an English seaside resort.

After graduation became Deputy Curator at the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K and then moved to Tanzania with his poet/photographer wife Veronica Marner for four years before emigrating to Canada.

In Canada was Professor of Film and Video at the University of Regina and also (in 1984), Adjunct Professor at New York University, New York.

Marner was appointed Emeritus Fellow at the University of Victoria B.C. in 2005 and presently is Associate Fellow in the University Centre for Studies in Religion and Society. Current research is into the impact of eastern philosophical ideas on twentieth century visual arts.

He has pursued an active career as artist and filmmaker with consistent record of exhibitions and film production. His books "Directing Motion Pictures" and "Film Design" are standard texts and have been published in six languages.

Since the advent of digital technologies he has explored them as a means of bringing together the many strands of his personal creativity.

Recent exhibitions include:-

1999 Photographic Installation-“Transforming Vision”, Joe Moran Gallery, Regina

2001 Photographic Installation “In Praise of Older Trees” Joe Moran Gallery, Regina

2002 Computer images, The Illuminary Gallery, Toronto (Group Show)

2003 Photo based art Rosemont Art Gallery, Regina (Group Show)

2005 "Digital Transformations", Rosemont Art Gallery Regina

2005 Photographic Installation Joe Moran Gallery, Regina

2007 Photographic installation, “Arboretum” Gallery at the Solstice Café Victoria B.C.

His work is seen in public and private collections in Canada and the U.K.

Biographical reference:

“People in Transition- Reflections on becoming Canadian” by Trudy Duivenvoorden Mitic. Fitzhenry and Whiteside Toronto 2001.