Static Flow | Art At One Creechurch Place: An exhibition of paintings by Jennifer Morrison

JGM Gallery presents Static Flow, an exhibition featuring the works of South African born artist Jennifer Morrison. Morrison studied both in Durban and in London, where she is now based, and graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design.

 

Though she has lived in London for over two decades, Morrison remains largely inspired by the vibrancy of South Africa, which manifests itself within her works through her distinct use of colour. She is additionally concerned with other material components such as scale, texture and form, which she utilises to create nonnarrative abstractions. This series sees large euphoric loops, bursting with colour, projected onto monumental canvasses. The result is tempestuous. In each example, however, the atmosphere created by this freedom of expression is juxtaposed with the geometric severity of minimalism. Tile-like compositions or regular formal components overlay the chaos, exploring the polarities of gesture and control. This, for Morrison, articulates the “... very fine balance one has to strike...” between the autonomy of the line and one's own consciousness.

 

Henri Matisse stated that the artist “... must always search for the desire of the line, where it wishes to enter or where to die away.” Whether it is a plant, clouds, or marks on a wall, these elements serve as inspiration for Morrison, acting as stimuli for her paintings. Yet, the desire of the line takes over, establishing a reciprocal relationship with its maker, to eventually form elaborate abstract compositions. In her words: “... the painting is constantly asking me stuff and I have to respond.” As such, the very process of making the works begins to embody subconscious values and past experiences. She thus masterfully synthesises the dichotomies of accident and deliberation, precision and playfulness.

 

An interpretation of Morrison’s work relies on the experiential, intentionally evading narrative. However, in the search for meaning, we, as viewers, acknowledge and respond to the independence and movement of the drawn line, to its substance, body, weight, its idiosyncrasies and vagrancies. In our subsequent attempts to understand her work, we recall the full experience of making. Cogent readings can be made of Morrison’s abstractions based on the ways they decline narrative; paradoxically, the hunt for meaning invokes an experience in and of itself.

Opening Reception:

Tuesday, 26 March, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

One Creechurch Place,

EC3A 5AF