Frank Morrison

Frank Morrison, an Atlanta-based contemporary painter, uses his brush, and occasional spray can, to document and amplify the Black voices often overlooked in the cacophony of the modern metropolis. In an aesthetic that draws on historical techniques such as Neo-Mannerism, an essence of street art style, and rethinking of the boundaries of figuration and abstraction, Morrison embraces his own mission of celebrating the history of the ingenuity of the Black community.

Imagination was a core element of Morrison’s childhood. Growing up on an army base, he found ways to build new worlds and construct elaborate stories. Once his family moved to New Jersey, he found that the isolation of his early years had sheltered him from the ever-present prejudice and racism of the social fabric. He turned to his creative nature, recreating his reality in sketches, or inserting himself in comic strips that neglected Black faces.

Immersing himself in the culture of the 1980s, he began experimenting with graffiti and Hip Hop. His breakdancing skills landed him the opportunity to tour with music sensation Sybil while in high school, opening his eyes to a new world of art. Encouraged by his African American art teacher Mrs. Moore, he used his time abroad to visit the Louvre and was transformed by the masterpieces and innovation that surrounded him. Inspired, he dove into the history of art, teaching himself classic techniques and discovering new methods of expression from African American greats such as the Neo-Mannerists, the Ashcan school as well as the Mexican Muralist.

Morrison went on to work with contemporary art galleries, displaying original works. His career as a visual artist has been complemented by a prolific and respected career as an illustrator for children’s books. The whimsical and thought- provoking depictions he creates have led to international acclaim and publication. His work has been featured at prestigious art fairs such as Expo Chicago, and Scope Miami. He has exhibited with the Savacou Gallery, Richard Beavers Gallery, Brooklyn and has received numerous awards including the John Steptoe Award, NAACP Image Award, and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. Frank Morrison is currently represented in New York by Richard Beavers Gallery.