b. 1982 Hinsdale, Illinois, USA. Lives and works in Northport, Michigan, USA.
James Morse utilises the language of land imagery to delve into the emotions stemming from reflections on our existence. For Morse, Landscape serves as a universally understood vocabulary across cultures, connecting us to the land, our source of nourishment and eventual return. Morse, eschewing photographs for on-site studies, crafts expressive landscape paitntings using only hand and eye. These works embrace the interpretive essence of being over the mechanical nature of seeing, composing a poetic language with landforms that is felt more than understood.
Morse’s paintings seek to evoke emotions arising from the interaction with the landscape and seeks to harness intuitive reactions predating vocal language. A clear field induces calm, a secluded lake surrounded by trees offers a sense of safety, and the return of birds in spring alleviates the worry of endless winter. Mature trees afflicted by blight symbolise the cyclical process of growth, death, decomposition, and renewal. Morse's work prompts contemplation of our inner selves through mirrored reflections on water surfaces.
Unlike a photograph's descriptive nature, Morse's intention is not to depict scenery but to create a visual record of thought, feeling, and response to the world on canvas. The passage of time is evident in meticulous mark-making, revealing the artist's presence in the world. These emotional metaphor objects, not reproductions of perceived beauty, showcase the artist's struggle to understand the space we inhabit. Evidence of geometric grids, modified compositions, colour choices, and the patina of thought and craftsmanship speak to the artist's contemplation of existence within a consciously detached world. In essence, the paintings document the world's contemplation of the artist as much as the artist's contemplation of the world—they are inseparable.
James Morse lives and works in Northport, Michigan. Recent solo exhibitions include The Hands That Comb The Hills, Cob, London, UK (2023); Because There Are Stars, Philip Martin Gallery, Los Angeles, US (2022). Recent group exhibitions include Arcadia & Elsewhere, James Cohan Gallery, New York, US ( forthcoming 2024); New Landscapes. Alzueta Gallery, Barcelona, Spain (2023); Pocket Universe. Philip Martin Gallery, Los Angeles, US (2023); David Zwirner Platform, October monthly edit, Online, New York, (2022); Harvest Moon, Leelanau Conservancy, Leland, Michigan, US (2022); Night Painting, Philip Martin Gallery, Los Angeles, US (2022); PPP on Paper, Painters Painting Paintings, Online, London, UK (2021); Shifted Horizon, Hesse Flatow Gallery, Chelsea, New York, US (2021).
EDUCATION
2011 MFA, Columbia College, Chicago, IL, USA
2005 BA, Hope College, Holland, MI, USA
2003 BFA, Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA, USA
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 The Hands That Comb The Hills, Cob Gallery, London, UK
2022 Because There Are Stars, Philip Martin Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA
2021 Eastfield, Online, Philip Martin Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA
2020 Looking at Leelanau, Cook's House, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
2020 One Hundred Acres, Virtual studio show, Northport, Michigan, USA
2019 Geese Returning, Cook's House, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 Arcadia & Elsewhere, James Cohan Gallery, New York, New York, USA
2024 Three Person Show, Scroll Gallery, New York, New York, USA
2023 New Landscapes, Alzueta Gallery, Barcelona, Spain
2023 Pocket Universe, Philip Martin Gallery, LA, California, USA
2022 David Zwirner Platform, October monthly edit, Online, New York, New York, USA
2022 Harvest Moon, Leelanau Conservancy, Leland, Michigan, USA
2022 Art Leelanau, Old Art Building, Leland, Michigan, USA
2022 Night Painting, Philip Martin Gallery, LA, California, USA
2022 Necessity, Galleri Magnus Karlsson, Stockholm, Sweden
2021 PPP on Paper, Painters Painting Paintings, Online, London, UK
2021 Art Leelanau, Old Art Building, Leland, Michigan, USA
2021 Postcards at Hellvi Kännungs, Galleri Magnus Karlsson, Gotland, Sweden
2021 Shifted Horizon, Hesse Flatow Gallery, Chelsea, New York, New York, USA
2021 Angle of Repose, Poker Flats Gallery, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA
2021 From Morning Til Night, Never Rely on a Single Thing, Philip Martin Gallery, LA, California, USA
2020 Art Leelanau, Old Art Building, Leland, Michigan, USA
2019 New Paintings, Morsecraft Studio, Northport, Michigan, USA
2019 Art Leelanau, Old Art Building, Leland, Michigan, USA
2018 Irregular Symmetry of Pattern, Wright Gallery, Northport, Michigan, USA
2018 Juried Fine Arts Show, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
