Norwest Gallery Presents James Charles Morris’ Solo Exhibition

Norwest Gallery of Art presents artist, James Charles Morris’ solo exhibition, “Finding Value,” debuting on Oct. 15, with an opening reception. Located at 19556 Grand River Ave. in Detroit, the gallery will host this reception from 6–9 p.m. while the exhibit will run through Nov. 13. And on Saturday afternoon Oct. 16, there will be an “Artist Talk” from 2–4 p.m. 

The mission of this exhibition is to explore the relationship of personal and social values, and the moments of growth that transpire from it, through a collection of mixed media collages. A year long process to complete, each piece  presents an emotional test that will be communicated through vocal audio recordings from the artist, which will be featured along with the artwork at the Northwest Gallery. 

Artist Bio

James Charles Morris, born in Detroit in 1984, is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist who has been engaged in the creative visual media practices of painting, printmaking, illustration, collage and photography for more than 20 years. Morris has used his work to engage in various social conversations addressing themes of race, spirituality, history, mental wellness and community. 

In 2008, Morris founded Definitive Style Exclusive (DSE Detroit), a brand that uses an array of visual statements and designs created with a simple yet blunt approach to touch on difficult and controversial topics within our society. 

Morris’ artistic influence began to manifest at a very early age, as he took found objects from around his home and  created new works. However, his familial connections also informed his development. Grandmother, Dell Pryor, a  gallerist in the city of Detroit across four decades, exposed James to many emerging and master artists. Some of those  names that ultimately influenced and inspired Morris include Adger Cowans, Hugh Grannum, Lester Sloan, Al Loving,  Gilda Snowden, Shirley Woodson, Anthony Barboza, and Eric Pryor among others. 

As a native Detroiter, Morris has always had a fondness for his hometown, which is evident in his work.

Morris’ Artist Statement

Curiosity is my driving force, it allows me to explore, see, and feel things in a way that creates a sense of wonder  towards my work. That spirit has been a part of my artistic journey since childhood, and in my current practice of digital  collage, I find myself reverting back to a time when I would create whenever I felt inspired, while using any and  everything I could find at my disposal, to make the art in my mind. How I create my work involves all the different  practices, influences and experiences that I’ve engaged in for more than 30 years. Once a concept comes to mind for  a collage, I go out and I photograph what I see as the necessary textures and colors needed for that piece, found  amongst things we normally take for granted. Once I’ve gathered enough images to fill my palate, I start to build the piece by cutting out elements from each photograph, and putting them together like a puzzle. For me, it’s like a dance,  allowing the subject to be the rhythm I move to. 

With “Finding Value”, I found it necessary to portray moments of personal introspection, as reflected through each  figure immortalized in the work. Reinvention, self-confidence, pride, purpose, love, inspiration, mental wellness, and  spirituality are the themes of each piece. 

by James Charles Morris