Dog lovers understand the pure, unfiltered joy that canines express, whether it's over a beloved treat or a playful encounter with another dog. This uninhibited spirit, coupled with their unwavering loyalty, infuses our lives with comfort and humor. For artist Stephen Morrison, this sense of curiosity and play manifests in his vibrant and quirky paintings, which he describes as works that "invite viewers to rediscover the magic and absurdity often obscured by the routine."
Recently, Morrison has focused on trompe l'œil compositions that cleverly incorporate the features of dogs into everyday objects. In his current solo exhibition, Dog Show #5: Field Recordings, hosted at SLAG&RX, he showcases a series of artworks that reflect significant locations in his life, including Paris, New York City, and Maine.
His creations often resemble a playful scavenger hunt, where familiar items like vases and cameras are imbued with hidden dog faces and playful references, such as bones stitched into backgrounds. The expressions of the dogs, often relaxed or sleepy, evoke a sense of calm and nostalgia, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and abundance.
In this series, Morrison delves into the meaning of belonging, reflecting on his childhood in Maine, his experiences in New York City, and his time in Paris. Despite his deep connections to these places, he expresses a feeling of disjointedness, stating, "The ornate beauty of the architecture and the sense I have of everything being solidly 'in its place' makes it hard to feel inspired there for me." This exploration of creative conflict is a central theme in his work.
French influence is evident in his use of toile de jouy, a fabric design featuring pastoral scenes, while the essence of Maine is captured through patchwork quilts co-designed with his mother. Morrison notes, "By bringing the objects and backgrounds into my dog world, I've rewritten my external material world through this lens, creating a new and more uniquely personal vision of these places."
This summer, Morrison will take on the role of artist-in-residence at BUoY in Tokyo, where he plans to integrate Japanese textiles into a new series of paintings. Additionally, he is preparing for a pop-up solo exhibition at Lazy Mike Gallery in Seoul and a group exhibition at Hashimoto Contemporary. His ongoing exhibition, Dog Show #5: Field Recordings, runs until March 28 in New York.