Mary Morrison

Edinburgh uni/college of art joint degree

Student exchange France 1989 

Edinburgh College of Art post grad Diploma

Mary Morrison who is now based in the Scottish Borders grew up in the Western Isles (Isle of Harris) She works mostly oil on canvas and her theme includes the landscape, location, mapping, grid references, tide tables, music and poetry. Her works are mainly referencing the western isles and her intention is to explore the light and space reflected in the islands.

She is inspired by  artists/poets like Kenneth White (rumi), Iain Cricton Smith (lewis), John Cage, Anish Kapoor, Mark Rothko, Shirazeh Horushiary and Anges Martin.

Shirazeh

Anges martin

     

example of morrisons work

While Morrison has another job and only does art part-time she did stress that the WASPS workshop she rents for studio space had a massive push, motivation and inspiration on her creative mind set. Being close to other artists was of great benefit for her.

She tends to work on a flat as the mediums she mixes can be messy and need time to dry and blend. Her works can be added to or reworked. She did take references from the Gaelic language ad talked about some of the poetry and the words she had liked and used.... FONN- meaning land music and state of mind.

We talked about the internet and how modern times have made life easier for buyers and sellers to notice your work. She had told us that its not always at an exhibition people tend to buy works, but sometimes after the exhibition itself. 

Not everyone can connect to a work but I feel learning the reasoing behind a work gave it more understanding or meaning.

Overall her talk was a very interesting way of hearing an artist's connection with her work. The work itself is kind of abstract and has interesting mixes, some opaque and some translucent..... Her gribs and barcoding and tide tables add another interest point next to the colour palette. 

    

 

WASPS = Workshop, Artist, Studio, Provisions Scotland.

wasps work area

mary morrison

Biography and personal note

 I am an artist based in the Scottish Borders. I share a studio in an old textile mill with 12 other artists. I also work part time for Live Borders managing the Creative Arts Business Network (CABN) which supports professional creatives and organisations in the region. We provide advice and support, run events and develop opportunities for artists of all artforms including local and international residencies and creative labs.