Beverly Morrison

Artist Statement

As a sculptor, I use clay to bring to life the complex and ephemeral emotions that exist within us. My work is influenced by the beauty and diversity found in nature and the human body, and I aim to express this through abstract and contemporary forms that balance fluidity with structure. The resulting sculptures, which I refer to as “Modern Day Relics”, capture the primitive elegance and raw vitality of the human experience. Clay, with its unique personality and characteristics, is an integral part of my creative process. I approach this material with reverence and devotion, fostering a symbiotic relationship as I work. Clay absorbs and holds onto the stories I tell, allowing me to express certain narratives with ease and understanding. To me, clay is the flesh of the earth, and each piece I create reflects the deep connection I have with this elemental material.

Bio

Beverly Morrison (Los Angeles, California) is an American artist graduated from California State University of Long Beach with a B.A. in Studio Arts, emphasis in sculpture. After college, her continued education into sculptural ceramics developed by participating in workshops with such artists as Peter King, Stan Bitters and Gwen Heeney. Beverly developed a relationship with the art of making from a very young age, inspired by her parents’ dynamic combination of artistic skills and analytical thinking. She grew up in a rich environment of creativity and resourcefulness, while cultivating a vigorous appreciation of working with one’s hands. The most profound lesson of her childhood came from her mother, who taught her the art of observation. This domestic education shaped Beverly’s own growth as an artist, informing a daily practice culminating in a lifetime of study in details, patterns and connections to the environment. Her long-lasting fascination with the natural world, perceived as one endlessly varied sculpture, became the foundation of her art-making. During her years of study in college and abroad, Beverly became enamored with many sculptors: Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore for their ability to communicate so much with so little; Rodin and Giacometti for their raw expressive textures; Bernini for his ability to transport his admirers to a state of emotional bliss. All of these attributes would affect her intensely and embed themselves in her aesthetic mind for years to come.Although her love affair with clay didn’t start until years after college, it seemed an inherent choice given her affection for nature. Clay, especially, has its own voice and vitality. Combining these characteristics with elements of form, rhythm and texture studied and gathered from natural objects, Beverly finds a never-ending well of inspiration for her work as she strives to create tactile relationships and emotional environments between her sculpture and the observer.