July 17, 2025–May 31, 2026
The Met
George Morrison, born in 1919 in the remote Native American village of Chippewa City by Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, overcame significant hardships to emerge as a defining figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement. His journey from a childhood shadowed by poverty and illness to an influential artist is a testament to resilience and creative vision. This exhibition delves deeply into Morrison’s transformative years during the 1940s and 1950s in New York City, a time when he not only honed his craft but also challenged the prevailing artistic norms.
After receiving a scholarship to study at the Art Students League in New York in 1943, Morrison immersed himself in the dynamic cultural currents of the city. His art flourished amidst the vibrant interplay of jazz, industrial landscapes, and literary influences, which irrevocably shaped his distinctive abstract style. Through connections with renowned artists such as Willem de Kooning and Louise Nevelson, Morrison developed a unique voice that straddled cultural barriers and artistic conventions.
This exhibition, featuring 25 exceptional paintings and drawings, highlights Morrison’s admiration for New York—his so-called “Magical City”—and culminates with his celebrated Horizon series, which reflects the artist’s evolving vision and abstraction. Complemented by rare archival materials, the show situates Morrison firmly at the core of the Abstract Expressionist movement, revealing a nuanced narrative of identity, place, and creativity.
Curated with generous support from the Barrie A. and Deedee Wigmore Foundation and The Met’s Fund for Diverse Art Histories, this retrospective honors the multilayered legacy of a pioneering Native American artist who redefined the American abstract tradition. Visitors are also invited to explore a special issue of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, which further contextualizes Morrison’s contributions within the broader art historical framework.
For more detailed information, please visit the official exhibition page at The Met’s website.
