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ABOUT FRANK MORRISON
(Courtesy of Morrison
Graphics)
Born in
Massachusetts then brought by his family to live in New Jersey at an early age,
Frank Morrison was reared and spent his formative years there, an affable,
precocious and inquisitive youngster whose curiosity about everything around him
seemed limitless. Then, as an energetic pre-teen, he was interested and enthused
by the youthful fads, interests and activities which marked his world: the
neighborhood DJ's with their followers and fans at neighborhood parties, the
colorful ‘tags’ of local characters which were splashed across fences, parks and
buildings, and the loose-jointed "B" boys and break-dancers who enlivened
week-end party scenes. In this setting his world was suddenly rife with
possibilities and he became convinced that he, too, could DO this!
In no time,
invested with a brilliant flow of creativity, his eye for and execution of
colorful ‘tags’ and ‘R.I.P’ scenes began to bring him considerable ‘street
recognition’ and local acclaim. But what soon pleased him more was his mounting
reputation as a "B" boy--break-dancing, popping and locking with such skill and
control that he became a regular on the dance crew of R & B star Sybil. After a
couple of years traveling with her, he joined the touring crew of The Sugar Hill
Gang, appeared on "Show Time At The Apollo", performed on the video "Rap Mania",
and with the dance company of the movie, "New Jack City".
In fact, it was while dancing and touring the
nation and European continent that he chanced to visit The Louvre Museum in
Paris that he "met his Muse". As he walked the halls there, he was consumed by
what he saw. Looking at the work of the Masters in The Louvre, he was reminded
of what he had unconsciously reached for in his sprawling graffiti pieces; he
recognized realms of color, style, passionate expression and possibilities that
he had never before imagined.
Upon returning to New York, Morrison became a ‘regular’ at local museums and
galleries--knowing that he had to return to his art. With a renewed vision and
an informed eye, the still teen-aged Morrison followed his heart, began the
development of an expressive style of his own, crafted his first portfolio, and
set out to market his paintings.
One need take only a cursory view/examination of
his portfolio or his work ‘en gallery’ to find that his power and inspiration
are products of his deeply religious grounding and his loving commitment to his
family. His innate musicality, natural rhythmic bent and intrinsic understanding
of physical/spiritual/emotional expression both invade and explode from his
paintings.
Notable collections of Morrison’s art are owned by former New York City School
Chancellor Rudy Crew, New Orleans Senator Gregory Tarver, renown
actor/philanthropist Bill Cosby who prides himself on nurturing the talents of
emerging African American artists, and Dr. Lorraine Hale among others. His work
has enhanced the settings of televisions shows "Malcolm and Eddie", "New York
Undercover", "Cosby" and has been a featured artist on the Home Shopping
Network.
Morrison has received commissions from the
irrepressible radio/TV commentator Tom Joyner, the Essence Music Festival in New
Orleans, and executed serially mounted musical scenes for the compact discs
"Impulsively Ellington: A Tribute to Duke Ellington. and Down-to-the-Bone’s
"Crazy Vibes and Things". His artwork has been displayed in prestigious locales
shows such as "The National Black Fine Arts Show" produced by Jocelyn
Wainwright, at the Savacou Gallery in Manhattan, and was honored and given a
one-man show at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture sponsored by
ESSENCE ART and Toyota.
He earnestly declares that he is rendered speechless with pride when he finds
his work displayed adjacent to and in conjunction with Romare Bearden originals.
His initiatives include publication of two illustrated children’s books "Zazzy
Miz Mozetta" and "Harlem Morning". Which will be readied for publication in fall
2004.
Morrison’s work is inspired, not only by his rich
and varied life experiences but, by his love and gratitude for his family--his
wife Connie, three sons and a daughter and the omnipresent Hand of God. Each of
his paintings bears his signature, of course, accompanied by the notation "TTG"
representing and reminding all of his "Thanks To God" for the blessings of his
gifts--his family and his talents.
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