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New RSG Artists: Introducing Lawrence Morrell

June 2, 2018

This post contributed by Tianna Lewis.

Lawrence Morrell, Bioengineered Molecule IV 16, glass
Lawrence Morrell, Bioengineered Molecule IV 16, glass

The elegance of the nearly invisible world of molecular biology defines Morrell’s artwork. His innovative sculptures describe reimagined life forms in luminous and intricately textured glass. He is preoccupied by the new science of synthetic biology. Similar to the way scientists may reengineer an organism’s function by rearranging its genetic structure, Morrell uses computer software to reorganize images from the natural world to use in his work. His fused and carved glass sculptures are informed by these images, describing a refined surface of dense, organic textures in this very solid yet translucent material.

Morrell was born in Oregon and spent 15 years in New York City creating sculptures for Cartier, Saks 5th Ave. and a two story glass facade for the Milennium at Times Square Hotel. Collaborating with other artists, he created the New York Vietnam Veterans War Memorial in carved, illuminated glass. He was interviewed on National Public Television on The McNeil Lehrer News Hour about the experience. In 1995 he moved to the vibrant West Coast art glass community in Portland, Oregon, creating sculptures for VISA International and an actively illuminated, 30 foot long horizontal sculpture for The Portland Center for the Performing Arts. Inspired by the lush, botanical diversity of Oregon, he created a glowing, spiral glass staircase. The transparent steps were hollowed out with a pine tree branch and needle motif and filled with thousands of illuminated fiber-optic strands that softly undulate with color.

Lawrence Morrell, Ocean Arbor Triptych I, glass
Lawrence Morrell, Ocean Arbor Triptych I, glass
Lawrence Morrell, Dragonfly A La Escher, glass
Lawrence Morrell, Dragonfly A La Escher, glass
Lawrence Morrell, Black Dragonfly IX, glass
Lawrence Morrell, Black Dragonfly IX, glass
Lawrence Morrell, Sequoia Rose, glass
Lawrence Morrell, Sequoia Rose, glass

To see these works in the flesh, please join us in the gallery, opening night for our New Artists Show.

« New RSG Artists: Introducing JoEllyn Loehr
New RSG Artists: Introducing Francene Levinson »

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1237 SW 10th Ave. at Jefferson (map)

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The Rental Sales Gallery, Portland Art Museum recognizes and honors the Indigenous peoples of this region on whose ancestral lands the museum now stands.

These include the Willamette Tumwater, Clackamas, Kathlemet, Molalla, Multnomah and Watlala Chinook Peoples and the Tualatin Kalapuya who today are part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and many other Native communities who made their homes along the Columbia River.

We also want to recognize that Portland today is a community of many diverse Native peoples who continue to live and work here. We respectfully acknowledge and honor all Indigenous communities - past, present, future - and are grateful for their ongoing and vibrant presence.

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