Richard Morrison’s latest body of work, entitled “Attitude” is about confidence; the stance and attitude of his models reflect a bold assurity of both his world and theirs.

Morrison comments; “Using thick lashings of texture and working the surfaces of my canvases they reflect the personalities of my sitters. Taking people either from recollection or characters actually sitting in my studio, the works explore the mental framework of people who know where they stand in the world. Butts and hips, and thrusting chests are quite a common stance in these figures and the immediacy of the way they are painted gives them a dynamic character.”

Morrison’s conceptual impetus is enhanced by his signature palette and style. While visually engaging, the viewer is instantly invited to consider the scene presented: the composition almost including the viewer in the room with the unknown subject matter. Intrinsically the viewer experiences that moment of self-empowerment that is conveyed successfully by Morrison.

This collection draws on the Fauvist artists. Morrison is particularly interested in the Fauvist derived concepts of liberal draftsmanship and autonomous colour palette. Such aspects can be seen in the exaggeration of composition and subject matter. This conflates a colour palette that is non doctrinaire to the colours that traditionally would inform the subject matter depicted. Morrison’s work is an expressive, arresting engagement with life and the figurative.

Morrison while working in the art industry has observed the powerful ego and bold body language of its participants. Reflecting the attitudes he sees the work has a humour but factual account of how the glamour of the art scene builds up the personalities he deals with on a daily basis. Loving the strutting and parading of the figures, he renders them in the manner they project and like to be seen.

Morrison’s impetus for his current collection considers our perception of our self and how we see ourselves in our world. He states; “My position as an artist and my profession of selling in the art world opens a very unique perspective on how I interpret my figures. The art world is full of such types and it is the power they project that fascinates me in my present works.” -Richard Morrison 2011