With titles like “Strange Amalgamation” and “Faithful Manipulation”, Clarence Morgan’s abstractions almost revel in their ambiguity. Yet, there are stories behind the eccentric forms that dominate each piece, which reviewers have variously interpreted as cosmological, biological, and racial/ social in meaning. Although the shapes never reveal their true identity, with each passing consideration comes the possibility of uncovering new layers of intention. The artist shares this sense of discovery as well: each composition is largely the product of intuitive, unplanned (yet well-practiced) artistic decisions. His sense of spontaneity is evident in each piece.

Clarence Morgan’s artistic accomplishments include an MFA in Painting from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; grants from the McKnight, Jerome, and Bush Foundations, and the National Endowment for the Arts; and inclusion of his art in museum, corporate, and private collections worldwide. His exhibition record includes more than 150 shows to date at venues such as Thomas Barry Fine Arts, Kidder Smith Gallery (Boston), International Print Center (New York), The Walker Art Center, The Armory Show (New York), and the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum. In addition to his success as an artist, Morgan was recently elected Chair of the Department of Art at the University of Minnesota, where he has taught for over a decade.