Bio
Aaron Morse (American, b. 1974) is as influenced by the geography, history and mythology of the Southwest as he is by the language of advertising, collage, and comics. Using subjects such as American Colonial history, 19th century Romantic literature, travel and leisure propaganda, nature guides, hunting, whaling, and 20th century politics, among other phenomena, Morse’s compositions combine elements of these in colorful and complex layers. The results are akin to epic illustrations or surreal, alternate worlds where space is ambiguous and tumultuous. His large paintings and watercolors are exceptional for their technique, and recall art forms ranging from Chinese landscape painting and Japanese woodblock prints to drawings by outsider artist Henry Darger and the Beat era collages of Jess. Ecology is a major concern for the artist, whose work is based simultaneously in both reality and fantasy.
– The Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Born 1974 in Tucson, AZ
Lives and works in Los Angeles, CA
Morse's work is included in the permanent collections of the Hammer Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, among others.
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Los Angeles Times
Fantastic Universe: ‘Airtight Garage’ at Big Pictures by David Pagel, 2018
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Los Angeles Times
Paintings of Sublime Worlds Gone Wrong by David Pagel, 2014
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Los Angeles Times
by Leah Ollman, 2011
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Los Angeles Times
by Christopher Knight, 2009
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Los Angeles Times
Aaron Morse's Artistic Jumble of the Deep by Alie Ward, 2009
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