Scott Morgan
10,000 Years
10,000 Years, Kyoto, 2/4/21, 14:00, 30.35/215.29, 20x16 inches, unique, silver gelatin Suryagram
"The Sun, with all those planets revolving around it and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as if it had nothing else in the universe to do."
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10,000 Years, Mitra l, 9/11/20, 12:15, -27.31/307.81, 15 7/8 x 15 7/8 inches, unique, silver gelatin Suryagram
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10,000 Years, Mitra V, 1/4/21, 12:30, 30.74/191.84 15 7/8 x 15 7/8, 49.8 x 49.8 unique, silver gelatin Suryagram
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In his 10,000 Years series, Scott Morgan builds upon this primal spiritual connection with the Sun by creating a body of work that pushes the boundaries of exploring the physical properties of direct solar light on photosensitive photographic materials.
The title of the series refers to the age of a single photon, from its creation within the star until it reaches us on earth. |
10,000 Years, Bhanu X,2020, 20x16 inches,unique silver gelatin Suryagram
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By eloquently composing targeted exposures of light radiation onto photosensitive surfaces, Morgan uses an array of techniques and materials bringing together light and chemistry to produce an engaging and sublime body of work. Using a variety of silver gelatin prints, both modern and vintage, Morgan manipulates the light and chemicals creating unique patterns of sometimes scorched marks that capture the energy and intensity of light.
From an aesthetics perspective, this series employs a visual language that one could instinctively associate with the Sun. The concentric circular patterns that often dominate the frame have the flow of rippling solar reflections, painted in vibrant organic oxidised gold, red and blue hues. |
10,000 Years, Solstice I 7/21/20, 12:15, -12.73/315.75, 10x8 inches, 25.4 x 20.3cm, unique silver gelatin Suryagram
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10,000 Years, Solstice 2 7/21/20, 12:45, -16.33/321, 10x8 inches, 25.4 x 20.3cm, unique silver gelatin Suryagram
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There is a uniqueness that permeates this body work. No two prints are alike, as each piece is a record of a single beam of light that, having traveled for 10,000 years, has been captured and made permanent onto a single piece of photosensitive paper.
10,000 Years transcends the often-dominant notion of photography as a recording medium and invokes, with expressive confidence, an expressive energy which is more akin to abstract expressionist paintings. Indeed, what Morgan achieves to do through this series is to stay as true as possible to the literal meaning and essence of the word photography - that is, to write (often referred to as to paint) with light. He accomplishes that in an honest and potent way, though a deep understanding and meticulous craftsmanship of his materials and the photographic process. |
10,000 Years, 9 Part Solar Motet l, 2021, 24x24 inches, unique silver gelatin Suryagram
10,000 years, The Prayer Cycle 13, 2020, 5 7/8 x 4 inches, unique silver gelatin Suryagram
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Morgan has coined a term to describe his unique process for creating these images, naming them ‘Suryagrams” after the Vedic god of the Sun. This term is a reference to the link between the photographic objects’ physical properties with their metaphysical qualities. This is a theme that permeates Morgan’s previous works, where he explores the complex connection between nature and the human experience.
These abstract photographic works invite contemplation, reflecting on transformation, beauty and spirituality – exploring the inner emotional world and human desire for peace and serenity. The sun rays dematerialised into tangible artifacts, activate something in the viewer’s psyche and create symbols of hope. |
10,000 Years, Surya 1 , 2021, 39x39 inches, unique silver gelatin Suryagram
“Assuming all forms, golden hued, all knowing,
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10,000 Years, Solstice 4 , 10x8 inches, 2020, unique silver gelatin Suryagram
Bio
Scott Morgan was born in Patuexent River Maryland in 1957. He studied painting, sculpture, photography and literature at the University of California, Santa Barbara on a scholarship for art and writing. He was deeply influenced by the California Light and Space school, the photographs of Minor White and Duane Michals and the paintings of Ad Reinhardt and Agnes Martin. He later traveled extensively throughout Europe, studying the great master painters of the renaissance and working as an assistant for a number of well-known fashion photographers.
At the same time, he went deeply into his own art practice moving past the borders of image-based photography with the Shiva portfolio in 1998, Earth Sutras 1998 and subsequently the Gates of Heaven series in 2000.
He later transitioned into a more conceptually based practice with For the Love Of, in 2002, a large installation exploring blood, faith and cosmological influence and One Hundred Days, 2004. In 2008, 2009 and 2010 Scott produced a number of significant works in a more global framework, projects on the edge of the great oceans, such as The Pilgrim Suite, and moving into video projects such as Siren, and The Center of the World.
He currently resides in Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia. His works continue to weave the deeply human experience, nature and a rich spiritual context. New works such as 10,000 Years, Cathedral, While You were Sleeping, and the new video installation and print series, The Stations, 2015 continue that focus.
www.scottmorganart.com
At the same time, he went deeply into his own art practice moving past the borders of image-based photography with the Shiva portfolio in 1998, Earth Sutras 1998 and subsequently the Gates of Heaven series in 2000.
He later transitioned into a more conceptually based practice with For the Love Of, in 2002, a large installation exploring blood, faith and cosmological influence and One Hundred Days, 2004. In 2008, 2009 and 2010 Scott produced a number of significant works in a more global framework, projects on the edge of the great oceans, such as The Pilgrim Suite, and moving into video projects such as Siren, and The Center of the World.
He currently resides in Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia. His works continue to weave the deeply human experience, nature and a rich spiritual context. New works such as 10,000 Years, Cathedral, While You were Sleeping, and the new video installation and print series, The Stations, 2015 continue that focus.
www.scottmorganart.com