Desmond Morris The Last Surrealist
Desmond Morris The Last Surrealist 11 May - 10 June 2022
February 2020. Desmond Morris aged 92.
“Desmond Morris sits alongside Joan Miró and Jean Arp as a master of biomorphic Surrealism. The strange, organismic shapes he creates, which inhabit eerily marvellous landscapes, are a sublime combination of wit and wonder.” - Will Gompertz Director of Arts and Learning, The Barbican, former BBC Arts Editor
Desmond Morris
The famous zoologist and best-selling author, Desmond Morris, is also the last surviving artist of the Surrealist movement.
Whilst studying for his degree in zoology, at the University of Birmingham, Morris started making drawings under the microscope, of biological organisms. This indirectly inspired Morris to create, in the words of David Attenborough, a “menagerie of creatures that were all his own”. Despite Morris’ knowledge of biology, these bizarre creatures are purely invented and irrational. The artist explains that “they evolve on the canvas, and they belong in their own dimension”. Indeed, he is keen to stress that the drawings are a chance to let his “imagination run free”. However, this creative spontaneity belies their meticulous execution. While inspired by Joan Miró and Yves Tanguy, these ‘biomorphs’ - so-called by the artist - became Morris’ own distinctive pictorial language, and have remained so ever since. During his studies at Birmingham, Morris befriended like-minded artists, and became associated with what turned out to be the last group of Surrealists in Britain. Headed by Conroy Maddox, members included Emmy Bridgwater, William Gear, and John Melville. After his first solo show in 1948, Morris won the support of ELT Mesens, and in 1950, shared a joint-exhibition in London with Miró, who would later visit him in London.
Despite this early promise, Surrealism was by now unfashionable, and he struggled to sell much of his work. Morris decided instead to focus on zoology - although he never stopped painting. He began a doctorate in animal behaviour at the University of Oxford, graduating in 1954, and it was in this field for which he became bestknown. By the end of the decade, he had hosted hundreds of episodes of Zoo Time, a weekly programme for Granada TV, as well as Life in the Animal World, for the BBC. In 1957, with the support of Herbert Read and Roland Penrose, Morris curated an exhibition of paintings by chimpanzees, staged at the ICA (of which he would later serve as director). This landmark exhibition was the first time that zoology and fine
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art had come together, and it caused an international media sensation. The major American collector of Surrealist art, William Copley, flew in from New York to see the show, while some of the exhibits ended up in the private collections of Picasso and Miró. Morris subsequently wrote The Biology of Art, a pioneering study of the picture-making behaviour of chimpanzees and its relationship to human art. In 1967, Morris published The Naked Ape, a seminal text on human behaviour. It was an immediate success, and ranks among the top 100 best-selling books of all time. It has sold more than 12 million copies, and has never been out of print.
Though he achieved worldwide fame as an author, Morris’ artworks were still very much overlooked during this time. Morris himself has said that it was only in the late 1980s that his ‘double-life’ as an artist gradually became more widely known. During this decade, his work had been selected for several museum shows of Surrealism, notably the British Council’s Contrariwise, which toured England and Wales, and he later gained international exposure when included in Arturo Schwarz’s Marcel Duchamp and other Iconoclasts, at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome. Schwarz owned several works by Morris, and his important collection of Dada and Surrealist art was showcased at the Israel Museum, in 2000. In 1987, Morris was taken on by the Mayor Gallery in London, which since the 1920s has specialised in promoting Surrealist art. Over the next decade, his paintings sold well, and gradually started to enter public collections. Swindon Museum purchased Girl Selling Flowers, painted whilst still a teenager, and based on his friend, the actress Diana Dors; Southampton City Art Gallery bought The Hermit Discovered; and The Jumping Three entered the collection of Birmingham Museums. In 2000, The Arena was acquired by the Tate. Painted in 1976, this vast, eerie scene, in which biomorphs are performing a ritual inspired by the sexual behaviour of humans, was described by Ruth Millington as a “Surrealist masterpiece”. More recently, the National Galleries of Scotland purchased War Woman, a rare example of Morris’ foray into object-painting. Following a trip to Paris in 1949, Morris exploited the use of the ‘readymade’, with found objects such as a door-knob and a cork fishing float, humorously incorporated into his painting. Humour often underpins much of his work, and Morris takes care to assign evocative titles to each finished piece.
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Interest in Morris’ artistic career remains strong, helped in part by the fact that he is now the last surviving Surrealist. In 2017, his paintings were the subject of a BBC Four documentary, The Secret Surrealist. Morris’ first show at the Redfern Gallery, in 2018, coincided with the launch of his new, critically acclaimed book, The Lives of the Surrealists, of lively recollections of his friends and fellow Surrealists. The exhibition was primarily concerned with showcasing his works on paper, many of which were completed in the past five years. David Attenborough and Will Self contributed essays to the catalogue, and more than 100 drawings and paintings, spanning seven decades, were sold. These included Guitar Figure, of 2013, bought by the Reiff Collection, while several drawings, as well as The Dove, painted in 1948, were acquired by the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford - the first museum to stage an exhibition of Morris’ work, back in 1952.
In June of this year Morris will be opening his own Institute of Visual Arts in Ireland, where he now lives. In addition to teaching facilities and a gallery for temporary exhibitions, there will also be a permanent Surrealist Gallery showcasing The Desmond Morris Collection. This will include a selection of his own works, works by other surrealists, surrealist documents and books, and an assembly of strange objects that he has collected over a period of 75 years.
Michael Healey, 2022
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Catalogue of Works
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Oils
Predicting the Past, 2011 Oil and plaster on board 39.2 x 57 cm Levy 2011/20
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Harbinger, 2019 Oil on board 91.5 x 61 cm Levy 2019/84
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The Hosts II, 2019 Oil on wood block 13.9 x 20.3 cm Levy 2019/88
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The Hosts III, 2019 Oil on wood block 13.7 x 20.2 cm Levy 2019/90
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The Hosts IV, 2019 Oil on wood block 13.8 x 20.2 cm Levy 2019/91
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The Arbiter, 2020 Oil on board 76 x 51 cm Levy 2020/11
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The Arrivals, 2020 Oil on wood block 14.3 x 27.6 cm Levy 2020/3
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Ceremony, 2020 Oil on wood block 29.2 x 38 cm Levy 2020/7
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Monocrat, 2020 Oil on board 51 x 76 cm Levy 2020/16
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The Neoteric, 2020 Oil on board 45.5 x 55.7 cm Levy 2020/5
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The Strangers, 2020 Oil on wood block 26.5 x 35 cm Levy 2020/1
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Panjandrum, 2021 Oil on board 35.5 x 25.3 cm Levy 2021/3
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Works on Paper
Beware of the Dog, 2001 Mixed media on paper 28.8 x 20.1 cm Levy 2001/203
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Breeding Grounds, 2001 Mixed media on paper 28.7 x 20.2 cm Levy 2001/228
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Freelance Fears, 2001 Mixed media on paper 29 x 20 cm Levy 2001/220
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The Martinet, 2001 Mixed media on paper 29 x 20.1 cm Levy 2001/221
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Accosted, 2002 Mixed media on paper 29 x 20.2 cm Levy 2002/115
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Carnival Day, 2002 Mixed media on paper 20.2 x 29 cm Levy 2002/94
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Guardian Angel, 2002 Mixed media on paper 29 x 20 cm Levy 2002/104
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The Gamester, 2002 Mixed media on paper 28.6 x 20.1 cm Levy 2002/99
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The Muse, 2002 Mixed media on paper 28.9 x 20.2 cm Levy 2002/105
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Tooth and Claw, 2002 Mixed media on paper 20.1 x 28.7 cm Levy 2002/95
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Soldier Dream, 2003 Mixed media on paper 28.9 x 19.8 cm Levy 2003/2
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Sketch for Tomorrow Man, 2012 Mixed media on paper 28.7 x 19.8 cm Levy 2012/72
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The Therapist Alone, 2015 Mixed media on paper 28 x 40.1 cm Levy 2015/16A
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Cats on Heat, 2016 Mixed media on paper 28.5 x 19.6 cm Levy 2016/57
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Peer Pressure, 2016 Mixed media on paper 28.5 x 19.7 cm Levy 2016/28
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The Challenged One, 2016 Mixed media on paper 28.5 x 19.8 cm Levy 2016/20
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The Consort, 2016 Mixed media on paper 28.7 x 19.8 cm Levy 2016/17
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The Lost Traveller, 2016 Mixed media on paper 38.7 x 49.2 cm Levy 2016/52
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The Victim, 2016 Mixed media on paper 41.1 x 28.3 cm Levy 2016/56
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Night Thoughts, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.1 x 19.6 cm Levy 2017/D8
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The Adviser, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.6 x 19.8 cm Levy 2017/D69
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The Author, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.1 x 19.9 cm Levy 2017/D112
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The Consultant, 2017 Mixed media on paper 38.7 x 49.5 cm Levy 2017/1
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The Despot, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.5 x 19.9 cm Levy 2017/D9
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The Disbeliever, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28 x 19.9 cm Levy 2017/D3
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The Forbidden Game, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.6 x 19.7 cm Levy 2017/30
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The Newcomer, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.7 x 19.7 cm Levy 2017/D185
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The Old Rival, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.6 x 19.9 cm Levy 2017/D165
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The Passer-By, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28 x 19.8 cm Levy 2017/D62
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The Protector, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28 x 19.9 cm Levy 2017/D171
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The Recruit, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.1 x 19.7 cm Levy 2017/D94
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The Veteran, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.1 x 19.7 cm Levy 2017/D99
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The Voice in the Desert, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.2 x 19.7 cm Levy 2017/D84
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A New Species II, 2018 Mixed media on paper 28.2 x 40.5 cm Levy 2018/99
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A New Species IV, 2018 Mixed media on paper 28.2 x 40.2 cm Levy 2018/101
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Custodian, 2019 Mixed media on paper 24.3 x 17 cm Levy 2019/21
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Herald, 2019 Mixed media on paper 24.3 x 17 cm Levy 2019/20
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Introvert, 2019 Mixed media on paper 18.5 x 28.8 cm Levy 2019/18
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Intruder I, 2019 Mixed media on paper 28.2 x 41 cm Levy 2019/80
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Intruder II, 2019 Mixed media on paper 28.3 x 41 cm Levy 2019/81
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Limbo, 2019 Mixed media on paper 24.4 x 16.9 cm Levy 2019/19
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Victim, 2019 Mixed media on paper 19.5 x 28.2 cm Levy 2019/29
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Woman with Cat I, 2019 Mixed media on paper 28.1 x 40.4 cm Levy 2019/2
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Woman with Cat III, 2019 Mixed media on paper 28.3 x 40.4 cm Levy 2019/4
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Woman with Cat V, 2019 Mixed media on paper 28.2 x 40.1 cm Levy 2019/7
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Woman with Cat VII, 2019 Mixed media on paper 28.2 x 40.1 cm Levy 2019/9
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Bivouac, 2021 Mixed media on paper 27.5 x 40.9 cm Levy 2021/14
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Bounty on the Mutiny, 2021 Mixed media on paper 27.5 x 41.1 cm Levy 2021/11
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Ichthyographer, 2021 Mixed media on paper 27.5 x 40.9 cm Levy 2021/19
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Littoral Wackadoodle, 2021 Mixed media on paper 20.3 x 29 cm Levy 2017/27
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Lost, 2021 Mixed media on paper 29 x 20.1 cm Levy 2021/21
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Optimist, 2021 Mixed media on paper 24.6 x 33.8 cm Levy 2021/13
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Staycation, 2021 Mixed media on paper 27.5 x 41.1 cm Levy 2021/9
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Scrutinator, 2021 Mixed media on paper 27.4 x 40.9 cm Levy 2021/18
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Tall Figure, 2021 Mixed media on paper 29 x 20 cm Levy 2021/20
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The Invisible Cage, 2021 Mixed media on paper 27.4 x 41 cm Levy 2021/17
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The K-Strategy, 2021 Mixed media on paper 27.2 x 40.9 cm Levy 2021/16
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Time Passes, 2021 Mixed media on paper 28.9 x 20.3 cm Levy 2021/23
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Traveller, 2021 Mixed media on paper 29 x 20.1 cm Levy 2021/25
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Autarch, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.7 x 41 cm Levy 2022/5
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Bete Noir, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.6 x 40.8 cm Levy 2022/14
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Canard, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.2 x 40.9 cm Levy 2022/17
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Dehorter, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.3 x 41 cm Levy 2022/13
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Dwam-Buster, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.4 x 40.9 cm Levy 2022/22
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Eggment, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.4 x 41 cm Levy 2022/12
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Encroacher, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.4 x 41.1 cm Levy 2022/10
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Executants, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.4 x 41 cm Levy 2022/1
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Imposer, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.3 x 41 cm Levy 2022/23
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Mooncalf, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.6 x 41 cm Levy 2022/3
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Muckamuck, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.6 x 41 cm Levy 2022/2
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Nuntii, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.4 x 41 cm Levy 2022/9
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Progenitress, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.6 x 41 cm Levy 2022/7
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Rencounter, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.3 x 40.9 cm Levy 2022/11
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Sojourn, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.7 x 41 cm Levy 2022/4
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Triarchy, 2022 Mixed media on paper 27.3 x 40.9 cm Levy 2022/20
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Bronzes
The Cosmopolitan, 2017 Bronze 30 x 19 x 12.5 cm Edition of 6 Levy 2017/42
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The Monarch, 2018 Bronze 29.8 x 22 x 13 cm Edition of 8 Levy 2018/119
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The Companion, 2020 Bronze 35 x 15 x 10 cm Edition of 8
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Tripod, 2020 Bronze 30.5 x 18.5 x 8 cm Edition of 8 Levy 2020/15
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Plates (Studio of Desmond Morris)
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Figure with Bird, 2017 Ceramic under-glaze on bisque plate, subsequently fired 27 x 27 cm Limited edition of 30 plates Levy 2017/4 The Intruder, 2017 Ceramic under-glaze on bisque plate, subsequently fired 27 x 27 cm Limited edition of 30 plates Levy 2017/25 The Wattle Master, 2017 Ceramic under-glaze on bisque plate, subsequently fired 27 x 27 cm Limited edition of 30 plates Levy 2017/11 Woman with Bird, 2017 Ceramic under-glaze on bisque plate, subsequently fired 27 x 27 cm Limited edition of 30 plates Levy 2017/27
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Angler, 2019 Ceramic under-glaze on bisque plate, subsequently fired 27 x 27 cm Limited edition of 30 plates Levy 2019/28 Couple 2019 Ceramic under-glaze on bisque plate, subsequently fired 27 x 27 cm Limited edition of 30 plates Levy 2019/27 Feeding Time, 2019 Ceramic under-glaze on bisque plate, subsequently fired 27 x 27 cm Limited edition of 30 plates Levy 2019/25 Mother, 2019 Ceramic under-glaze on bisque plate, subsequently fired 27 x 27 cm Limited edition of 30 plates Levy 2019/23
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Front Cover The Forbidden Game, 2017 Mixed media on paper 28.6 x 19.7 cm Levy 2017/30 Back Inside Cover Custodian, 2019 Mixed media on paper 24.3 x 17 cm Levy 2019/21
Desmond Morris: The Last Surrealist 11 May - 10 June 2022 Catalogue © The Redfern Gallery, 2022 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying recording or any other information storage or retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the gallery.
20 Cork Street, London, W1S 3HL tel +44 (0)207 734 1732 art@redfern-gallery.com redfern-gallery.com