Dawson Morgan
www.DawsonMorgan.com
“The passion in my work is evident through the technical care and artistic manipulation of developing sculptural clay form. How a piece interacts with light and our environment is an important factor, becoming a strong feature much like color or size. The concept of light is incorporated as an element in the piece. I create with the open space on my work table to build luminous shadows.

I have great appreciation for beauty found in natural color and texture, and I relish the nuances that add depth and interest to my work. Often I collect sticks, vines, or rocks that may be used in my art form. Saint Louis and the surrounding area offers a variety of hiking trails, rivers, parks, farms, and vineyards. Even the prairie reserve has inspired many pieces. I find it meaningful when art is created through a relationship with nature, and the fact that my studio is local provides a connection found in my creations to the everyday textures we pass along our highways and parks.”

Thank you for your interest in my work.

~ Dawson Morgan

Dawson Morgan is an American, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Millsaps College (magna cum laude) in Jackson, Mississippi, USA with a specialty in hand built ceramics. She was awarded a Ford Fellowship for sculptural studies, inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, graduated then moved to New Orleans, Louisiana to direct Global Galleries in New Orleans. Her family eventually moved to Lausanne Switzerland where she exhibited her work on the shores of Lake Geneva. Presently Dawson continues her passion for ceramic form in her Chesterfield studio. She takes great inspiration from international experiences, natural textures, and the beauty of our varied landscape.

Vine collection is inspired by living in the vineyards. For Dawson there is a separate important subculture consisting of wine, cheese, and friends. Her washable cheese platters, fruit bowls, and hors-d'oeuvre dishes are intended to be used, so enjoy their elegant durability. Local wineries have captured Dawson’s interest as well as the Shaw Prairie Reserve.

There is a story about the natural texture in Dawson’s Raindrop and Smoke pieces. To create the rich smoke these works are placed directly into the fire pit and then smoked in straw or leaves until they have reached the desired depth of color. On this particular firing it began to rain. Dawson immediately saw how the beautiful random raindrop patters compliment these organic forms. She then stood out in the rain and completed the entire firing process taking great care to protect the subtle rain drop texture. Her ability to appreciate the serendipity of weather effects and use it in her work is the epitome of a true naturalist.

Dawson's eye catching forms, glazes, and textures are designed to instill curiosity. You feel inclined to touch, and take a second look to better understand the piece. Many of the Conversation Bowls are natural colors added to the clay then mixed together creating depth that is unique to each piece. She uses different natural wet clays, prepares and tests the compatibility to endure the ceramic process without stressing or cracking. By applying a clear glaze the clay striations can be seen deep into the surface.

Dawson believes ceramic art should look handmade. She feels that we have become a mass producing society, to some that is acceptable but the artists 'hand print" is a valuable feature.

Her most recent exhibitions include Krueger Pottery Gallery, Kirkwood, Missouri (2008-present), 63119 Art Crawl, Kirkwood, Missouri (2009), Virginia House Saint Louis, Missouri (2009), and Augusta Woods Gallery, Augusta, Missouri (2009-present). Her works are available at Fusion, Chesterfield Mall, Chandler Hill Vineyards, Defiance Missouri as well as Wine Chateau of Chesterfield Missouri. Saint Louis Public Library at the Daniel Boone branch displays her work in February 2010 and at The Point of Ballwin Commons, Ballwin Missouri. Dawson’s Chesterfield Studio established in 2009 where new collections are exhibited monthly. Atelier-Galerie Gaia Lausanne Switzerland (2008-9), Le Petite Atelier, Bussigny, Switzerland (2008). She has spoken to groups at the Creative Learning Center, Partners in Education, Cub Scouts Troop 603, and Fern Ridge High School ceramics department.

During a lack of studio space Dawson painted free lance murals throughout the Southeast including Sherwin Williams show room Ballwin, Missouri(1999) and Saint Monica Catholic Church, Creve Coeur, Missouri. She exhibited ceramic art through Global Galleries New Orleans, Louisiana (1996) the Georgia State Fair Macon, Georgia (1990) Street Gallery, Jackson, Mississippi (1991), Louis Art Gallery, Jackson, Mississippi (1991), juried exhibition in Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, Mississippi (1991) all located in Jackson Mississippi.