(1971 – )

Jennifer Morrison
Contemporary
Overview
Jennifer Morrison was born in South Africa in 1971, it is here that she began her art studies, and later continued in London, where she graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.

Morrison’s work deals predominantly with colour and shape and she uses these elements to explore juxtaposition, repetition, movement and rhythm. Although she has lived in London for two decades, the colours of South Africa have never left her and remain a central influence in her work.

Whether it is a plant or clouds or smudges on a wall, these can all serve as inspiration for her and act as a starting point for a painting. Morrison’s inspiration comes from the world around her and then it becomes something of its own. It is sifted through her memory and her imaginings.

Morrison is interested in weighing accident against deliberation, precision and control against playfulness and abandon. She plays with material, medium and form and through this, an ‘arrangement’ is made. She uses the word ‘arrangement’ to mean a state in which she finds the result to be pleasing in some way. She also means it in the sense that she’s come to some kind of arrangement with the painting itself. Her marks speak back to her and she replies until she feels that the conversation is over.

Morrison has always been more interested in colour and shape and materials than in social or political or personal commentary or content. She likes the way that abstraction allows for ambiguity. She doesn’t need or want definitive answers or didactic explanations. Morrison prefers meaning, if it is found at all, to be open. Her work is subjectively driven and is guided largely by intuition.

When she paints she is in control of the process, up to a point. Morrison chooses to relinquish control at certain stages but she is ‘watching’ this process very carefully. She is in charge of the accidents to some extent and it’s this dance of chaos and control that intrigues her. The freedom is controlled.  All of this has to happen with a lack of self-consciousness otherwise everything comes to a halt.  This intersection of order and chaos endlessly fascinates the artist. With painting, as with other things, you’re always losing possibilities by the choices you make – to her this seems to be a very exciting thing.

Morrison has exhibited in group shows in London and New York and at various corporate venues. She has had a solo exhibition at the KZNSA Gallery in South Africa. Her work is in private collections in South Africa, Singapore and London.

 

Chronology

1996 – 1999

Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design

BA (Hons) FA

United Kingdom

1995 – 1996

Chelsea College of Art and Design

Diploma in Foundation Studies

United Kingdom

1992 – 1994

University of South Africa

BA (Second Year)

Durban, South Africa

1991 – 1992

Natal Technikon

F.A. (Dip)Durban, South Africa

Exhibition Photos
Exhibitions

2023

Solo exhibition, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

New Day Spring Group Exhibition, Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg

2022

Solo Exhibition: Somewhere in Between, @KZNSA, Kwazulu-Natal

2021

Solo Exhibition: Remember to Forget, Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg

2019

Solo Exhibition:Surface Depth, Graham’s Fine Art Gallery, Johannesburg

2018

START Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London

House of Artists Group Exhibition, Circle Contemporary Gallery, Cornwall, England

Group Exhibition, Graham’s Fine Gallery, Johannesburg

2017

Solo Exhibition:Colour Flux, Graham’s Fine Art Gallery

Solo Exhibition:Trajectory,KZNSA Gallery

2015

Solo Exhibition:Colour Works,Graham’s Fine Art Gallery

2014

Art Below group exhibition

Framers Gallery, London

Solo exhibition, Chelsea Arts Club, London

Group Exhibition: May, Debut Contemporary, London

Group exhibition: March, Debut Contemporary, London

2013

Group exhibition: Christmas Show,Debut Contemporary, London

Group exhibition: ‘The Essence of Abstraction’,Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York

2012

Home Choice Corporate Collection, Cape Town, South Africa

Solo exhibition, Coningsby Gallery, Tottenham Str, London

2009

Solo exhibition, Coningsby Gallery, Tottenham Str, London

2004

Solo exhibition, Arndean Gallery, Cork Street, London

2003

Solo exhibition: Holman, Fenwick & Willan, London

Nicro Charity Auction, Wilton’s Music Hall, London

2000

The Old Laboratory Studios- open day, 2 Michael Road, London SW62AD

1999

The Old Laboratory Studios- studio opening, 2 Michael Road, London SW62AD

BBC Group Exhibition, Broadcasting House, London

Directions ’99 Exhibition, Lethaby Gallery, Central Saint Martins

1997

Midas Graphics, Soho, London, Installation exhibited for two weeks

Collections

Holman, Fenwick & Willan Corporate Collection, London

Graham Beck Collection, Graham Beck Wine Estate, Cape, South Africa

Featured Artwork

2023 – Open Secret

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2021 – Remember to Forget

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2019 – Surface Depth

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2017 – Colour Flux

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2017 – Trajectory

  • Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison

    Oil on Canvas
    190 x 760cm (Quadriptych)
    Signed: “Morrison” (Verso)
    2017

  • Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison

    Oil on Canvas
    168 x 168cm
    Signed: “Morrison” (Verso)
    2017

  • Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison

    Oil on Canvas
    168 x 168cm
    Signed: “Morrison” (Verso)
    2017

  • Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison

    Oil on Canvas
    168 x 168cm
    Signed: “Morrison” (Verso)
    2017

  • Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison

    Oil on Canvas
    168 x 168cm
    Signed: “Morrison” (Verso)
    2017

  • Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison

    Oil on Canvas
    168 x 168cm
    Signed: “Morrison” (Verso)
    2017

  • Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison

    Oil on Canvas
    168 x 168cm
    Signed: “Morrison” (Verso)
    2017

  • Jennifer Morrison
    Jennifer Morrison

    Oil on Canvas
    168 x 168cm
    Signed: “Morrison” (Verso)
    2017

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2015 – Colour Works

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