Biografie von George L.K. MORRIS (1905-1975)

Birth place: NYC

Death place: NYC

Addresses: NYC

Profession: Painter, sculptor, writer, lecturer, teacher, designer, critic

Studied: Groton School, 1924; Yale Univ., 1928; ASL with Sloan, K.H. Miller, 1928-30; Acad. Modèrne, Paris with F. Leger & A. Ozenfant, 1930.

Exhibited: Berkshire Mus., 1933, 1966 (retrospective); Yale, 1935 (solo); Am. Abstract Artists, 1936-46; WMAA, 1938-65; WFNY, 1939; Fed. Mod. P&S, 1941-46; CI, 1944-46; PAFA Ann., 1945-56, 1966 (Temple Gold med.); VMFA, 1946; AIC, 1942, 1946-47; AV, MMA, 1946; Pepsi-Cola Comp., 1948 (Achievement award); Riverside Mus., NYC; SFMA; Nelson Gal., Kansas City; "Abstract Painting & Sculpture in Am.," MoMA, 1951; "Younger Am. Artists," Guggenheim Mus., New York, 1954; Corcoran Gal. biennials, 1953-65 (5 times); Corcoran Gal., 1965 (retrospective); Hirschl & Adler Gal., NYC, 1970s. Awards: Berkshire Hills Award, 1966.

Member: Am. Abstract Artists, 1936 (founder, pres., 1947-50; ed. of yearbook); Fed. Mod. P&S (founder, 1940); AE; Century Assn.

Work: MMA; WMAA; BM; PAFA; PMA; CGA; Phillips Coll.; North Carolina Mus. Art, Raleigh. Commissions: mosaic mural, Elementary Sch., Lenox, MA, 1962; large painting, Madison Square Garden Corp., 1965.

Comments: Abstract painter and critic. A wealthy intellectual and a close friend of collector A.E. Gallatin, Morris's writings on abstract art helped define the purpose of the Am. Abstract Artists group. During the 1930s he was active in Paris and NYC, and married fellow abstract painter, Suzie Frelinghuysen (see entry). Teaching: ASL New York, 1945-46; artist-in-residence, St. John's College, Annapolis, MD, 1961-62. Curatorial assistance: Mus. Living Art, New York Univ., 1936; Corcoran Gal. Art, 1966; Montclair Mus. Art, NJ, 1971. Trustee, NYC Center Music & Drama, 1966-on. Auth. & founder:The Miscellany (a literary magazine, 1930); publ. (with A.E. Gallatin) of journal Plastique (Paris), 1937-39; ed., Partisan Review, 1937-43; articles, Magazine of Art, 1953; ArtNews, 1954; The World of Abstract Art, 1956.

Sources: WW73; Am. Abstract Art, 193; Donelson Hoopes, George L. K. Morris: A Retrospective (exh. cat., Corcoran Gal., 1964); add'l info. courtesy Anthony White, Burlingame, CA (who cites place of death as Stockholm, Sweden.); Falk, Exh. Record Series.