Jennifer Morrison

A South African artist living and working in London who paints abstract works with a particular focus on colour.

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About

Born in South Africa in 1971, Morrison studied both there and in London, where she graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.

She has had solo shows in Johannesburg, London and Durban and been in group exhibitions in London, New York and Cape Town.

Morrison is currently represented by Graham Contemporary in Johannesburg, Barnard Gallery in Cape Town and JGM Gallery in London.

Her work is in private collections in South Africa, Singapore, United States, Australia and London.

Morrison lives and works in London.

Work

London based artist, Jennifer Morrison, creates abstract paintings which are primarily concerned with colour, scale, texture and form. Although she has lived in London for over two decades, the colours of South Africa have never left her and remain a central influence in her work. She is interested in weighing accident against deliberation, precision and control against playfulness and abandon. Whether it is a plant or clouds or smudges on a wall, these can all serve as inspiration for Morrison and act as a starting point for a painting.

Her work explores the medium of oil paint and seeks to rely on the intuition of the artist in the making of the works and on the person who views them. The experience of making the works is based on unconscious filters, values, past experience and knowledge.

Her paintings raise the issue of the viewer’s expectation of paintings, the need for some to see it perform as a narrative space within which the image and meaning can unfold. Telling stories is not a primary concern for the artist. The visual impact and experience is paramount.

Morrison wants the viewing of her paintings to be a rich experiential encounter. For the artist, painting is about exploring the invented object in front of her. The formal qualities of abstract painting are significant not in themselves but as part of a work’s expressive message.

Morrison is interested in the literalness of painting, of comprehending a work in a literal and experiential sense. She sees it as a kind of honesty. It is also about having faith in not knowing, in being confounded, in doubt.

With painting, as with other things, you’re always losing possibilities by the choices you make. Morrison feels this to be a very exciting thing.

Experience and Exhibitions

2024 – Solo exhibition, One Creechurch Place, London

2024 – Between Worlds Group Exhibition, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town

2024 – Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, South Africa

2023 – Solo exhibition, Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg, South Africa

2023 – Solo exhibition, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

2023 – Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, South Africa

2022 – Collective, Group exhibition, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town

2022 – Art for Christmas, JGM Gallery, London

2022 – Winter Group Show, Linden Hall Studio, Deal, England

2022 – New Day, Group exhibition, Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg, South Africa

2022 – Natural Abstraction, Group exhibition, Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg, South Africa

2022 – Group exhibition, Turps Offsite Leavers, Thames-side Studios Gallery, London

2022 – PAINTER PAINTER! Group exhibition, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town

2022 – Solo exhibition, Chelsea Arts Club, London

2022 – Solo exhibition, KZNSA Gallery, Durban, South Africa

2022 – Group exhibition, Turps painters, Fitzrovia Gallery, London

2022 – Group exhibition, Graham Contemporary, Johannesburg, South Africa

2022 – Investec Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, South Africa

2022 – ABSTRACT_ED: Group exhibition, Barnard Gallery, Cape Town

2021 – London Paint Club: Contemporary Narratives Pt.2

2021 – gowithYamo Virtual II exhibition

2021 – Solo exhibition, Graham Modern & Contemporary, Johannesburg, South Africa

2020 – STARTnet Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London

2019 – START Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London

2019 – Solo exhibition, Graham Modern & Contemporary, Johannesburg, South Africa

2018 – START Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London

2018 – House of Artists Group exhibition, Circle Contemporary Gallery, Cornwall

2018 – Group exhibition, Graham’s Fine Art Gallery, with Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2017 – Solo show, KZNSA Gallery, Durban, South Africa

2017 –  Solo show, Graham’s Fine Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2016 – FNB  Johannesburg Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

2016 – Cape Town Art Fair, Cape Town, South Africa

2015 – FNB Johannesburg Art Fair, Johannesburg, South Africa

2015 – Solo show, Debut Contemporary, London

2015 –  Solo show, Graham’s Fine Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2014 – Solo exhibition, Chelsea Arts Club, London

2014 – Group exhibition, Debut Contemporary Gallery, London

2014 – Group exhibition, Debut Contemporary Gallery, London

2014 – Group exhibition, Art Below, The Framers Gallery, London

2013 – Group exhibition, Debut Contemporary Gallery, London

2013 – Group exhibition, Agora Gallery, New York

2012 – Homechoice Corporate Collection, South Africa

2012 – Solo exhibition, Coningsby Gallery, London

2009 – Solo exhibition, Coningsby Gallery, London

2008 – Group exhibition, The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts

2007 – Group project with eightmodern: Short film ‘Shadowplay’

2004 – Solo exhibition, Arndean Gallery, London

2003 – Solo exhibition, Holman,Fenwick & Willan, London

2003 – Holman, Fenwick & Willan Corporate Collection

2003 – Nicro Charity Auction. Wilton’s Music Hall, London

2003 – Graham Beck Wine Estate, South Africa. Private Collection

2001 – Group exhibition, New Inn Yard Gallery, London

1999 – BBC Group exhibition, Broadcasting House, London

Links

JGM Gallery:

https://jgmgallery.com

Barnard Gallery, Cape Town:

https://barnardgallery.com/

Graham Modern & Contemporary, Johannesburg:

https://www.grahamsgallery.co.za/

KZNSA Gallery, Durban, South Africa

http://www.kznsagallery.co.za/exhibitions/trajectory.htm

 

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jennifermorrison159/