Vans Community Series: Alex Morrison
Vancouver based visual artist Alex Morrison invited us to his home/studio to share some exciting progress on upcoming work, and play us a few songs on his guitar. Afterwards we biked over to @monteclarkgallery to see the paintings and sculpture from his amazing solo show at @cagvancouver. Along the way we got to ask him about his inspirations, epic European cycling trips and his first pair of Vans from 1985.
Photos by: Kimberly Ronning @_kimberlyr
How has living in BC influenced your artwork?
I’ve lived a lot of places but formative years spent between Vancouver and the Island has had a lasting influence on both my aesthetics as well as thematic concerns in my work. I like all of the contradictions here.
How would you describe your artwork? What are some of the themes or concepts that inform your practice?
Grounded in various techniques and materials, obsessed with vernacular. I am interested in the aesthetics of utopian thought, whether as embedded in activism and counterculture or architecture and design. I like the persistent ways in which radical ideals and impulses are historicized, distorted and repurposed over time, by tracing the means by which even the most persuasive of vernaculars cycle from avant-garde to kitsch and commodity.
Can you tell us about the process of creating your paintings or sculptures?
Recent paintings are all in oils on canvas. The works start as 3D digital models in a virtual space all of my design. I cull models from the internet as well as design, my own. These designs are then scaled up with video projection and transferred by pencil tracing to the canvas. I then apply many thinned down layers of paint over the drawing.
The ceramic sculptures are also designed in 3D digital environments. I find it quite applicable to the geometric designs and being able to see how things will fit together in a preview stage is helpful for slabwork.
Do you have any upcoming projects you are excited about?
I have a few public sculpture commissions in the works here in the Lower Mainland I am excited about. I am also showing work at the Audain Museum in the Fall as part of the group exhbition “Out of Control”. Its a show about skateboarding.
Classic question, but who or what has been inspiring you lately?
I have been working as a Scenic Artist in the film industry and I find it very inspiring. The job provides lots to learn, inspires a good work ethic and time management is key. There are so many tricks and tools, materials and methods. Its had a profound affect on both the content of my work as well as how I make it.
What are some of your favorite pastimes?
Reading history, skateboarding, cycling, cooking, playing and listening to music.
Can you tell us about your most memorable cycling trip?
There have been many. Amsterdam to Cologne via Rotterdam and Brussels. Sydney to Melbourne. Mulheim in Southern Germany through the Rhone Valley of France to the Mediterranean was also quite memorable. In 2020 I rode the back roads from Victoria to Tofino over 3 nights.
Do you have any plans for trips, adventures this summer or coming fall?
Gulf Islands cycle touring this Summer. Definitely need to leave the country soon though, been too long. Would like to do some cycle touring in the UK. Wales and Cornwall would be ideal. I love Brighton and East Sussex too.
What music have you currently been listening to? Or any recommendations for TV/Movies/Podcasts?
Have been listening to: Police Des Moeurs, Mac Dre, Robert Lester Folsom, Chloe Cherrie, Lyn Colins, Morrissey, Glenn Gould, Red Theme, Alice Coltrane, Dj Screw, Jack Wilkins, Everything But The Girl, Gary Valentine, Flyboys. I like most film noire. Check out films by Jean-Pierre Melville especially “Le Circle Rouge”. I mostly listen to History and current events podcasts but also tune into Redscare for the ridiculous takes.
Do you remember your first pair of Vans? Or have a memorable pair?
First pair was mail-ordered with help from my Mom. We ordered out of a 1/4 page ad in Thrasher Magazine in 1985 straight from the factory in Anaheim. You couldn’t really get Vans in Canada at that time. Yellow skate-hi’s with navy blue stripe.
What Vans are you currently wearing? And why did you pick this pair?
Anaheim Factory Style 73 DX in black. I like the 90s look to them and excellent board feel as always.
Any shout outs?
That’s a long list. They know.
