Philip Martin Gallery

Philip Martin Gallery is proud to present its first solo exhibition of new oil-on-canvas works by James Morse. Composed of both large-scale studio works and smaller pieces painted in the field, these expressive landscapes aim to embrace the interpretive nature of being in the world by using the imagery of the land and its creatures as a language to explore the complexity of our material, emotional, and spiritual existence.

This new set of works is a visual record of thinking, feeling, and responding to the world using a language that is more felt than understood. Dark landscapes show moody images of wildlife and foliage, prairie flowers dancing in the wind, and choppy waves sweeping across a lake. The muted color scheme gives a sense of reflection, melancholy, and introspection while vast landscapes and water reflections inspire a sense of expansiveness and calm, causing contemplation of the inner self. Morse says, “I use the imagery of land as a language to explore the emotions that arise from contemplating our existence. The universe, and our presence within it, is a mystery. Contemplating our existence gives rise to the full spectrum of emotion. That we exist at all is both joyful and terrifying, beautiful and hideous, constructive and destructive.”