Reviews
Noredin Morgan
By Barbara Rizza Mellin
Lines, color, shapes-basic components-that, in the hands of an artist take on a life of their own. Noredin Morgan manipulates these components-sometimes digitally, other times on canvas - into images simultaneously startling and seductive. His subjects are traditional ones: the human figure or face, but there is nothing mundane or tedious about his interpretations.
He creates volume with layers of lines and dynamism with placement of color. And in the process, conveys an artistic passion that is undeniable. "I learned art from art," says Morgan, "not from academics." This education has given him a freedom of expression as well as a rich archive of techniques and styles upon which to build his own art. Morgan draws his references from many sources- Matisse, Pollock, Warhol, Gauguin, Picasso, African masks and Egyptian artifacts-yet his work is inventive and fresh, with only a slightly more than subliminal concession to the originals.
One portrait of his daughter Nevine, for example, stares, like the celebrated bust of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, directly out at the viewer with deep, penetrating, brown eyes, her blue skin and green lips looking almost nature.
Several of his nudes pay homage to Matisse in their fluid, sketch-like outlines, reminiscent poses and colorful backgrounds, while many of his female portraits reflect cubist and expressionistic influences in their angled planes and distorted viewpoints. It is his self-portraits, however, that I feel are most intriguing. They capture a mood and reveal the inner man, both personal and universal. "The painting leads me more than I lead it," says Morgan.
For the past few years, like other contemporary, cutting-edge artists, Morgan has been experimenting with digital print images. This new art genre is in its infancy and artists like Morgan are helping it to stand and start walking simultaneously into the future and into history. Morgan always starts with one of his original drawings or paintings. Once the picture has been scanned or photographed with a digital camera and the image is in the computer, his creativity is unleashed like a child's with a new set of building blocks. The computer images are manipulated and color enhanced, backgrounds are changed or added, and the resulting digital painting is a new work of art unique to the 21st century as surely as impressionism was unique to the 19th century. Morgan says of the digital portraits, that in the manipulation of the images he "discovers more depth and reality." The viewer, too, will see that added depth and reality in the resulting color prints. In addition to working from his own sketches and easel paintings, Morgan frequently creates art directly on the computer, layering lines, manipulating shapes and varying colors, in ways that only the technology allows. His technique with self-portraits is particularly suited to this new medium.
All of his portraits make eye contact with the viewer, their undulating lines, like multi-colored scribbles, enliven the images, nearly causing them to vibrate with energy. They reflect a spontaneity that may or may not have truly existed in their creation. Yet, beneath the segmented surface, the whole soul is revealed, often pensive and determined. One, a solemn portrait created with yellows, grays and purples, was done some time ago, following a mild heart attack. The artist refers to it as "Beaten Morgan," and it captures the depression and concern of a particular emotional time. Another, reflecting strength of body and character is called "Othello." His easel paintings rely less on line and more on color blocking. Here, Morgan creates figures rich in subtle shade variations that differ from the digital paintings in their sense of calm and quiet serenity, despite their often Picasso-like distortions. Lately, though, he has been working with large, five-foot square canvasses, which he says let him "get wild" and "still contain" himself.
Noredin Morgan is a native of Egypt, who lived and studied in Europe for a while and came to America in the late 1960s as a young man ready to make his way in the world. He landed in New York where, after a year in graduate school, he pursued his dream of being a full-time artist, living in the village and soaking up the colorful ambiance of soho, jazz and the fast-paced city life that would later influence his artwork. He designed display windows and worked as a commercial artist on Madison Avenue.
Always torn between his love of art and science, ultimately, he decided to return to Columbia and, then, go on to Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute where he received a master's degree in Chemical Poylmers. He was pursuing a PH.D, when an irresistible job offer from W. R. Grace landed him and his family (wife, two daughters and a son) in the Boston area, where he has remained. During his career as a chemist, he continued to develop his art, studying the modern masters and learning what he could about technique and style. Now, many years later, he lives in Billerica and is once again a full- time artist, self-assured and confident about his art. His only connection to chemistry is the use of a plasticizer as his paint medium. This chemical combination, he claims, add fluidity to the pigments but does not interact with the canvas, allowing him to add layer upon layer without destroying the subsurfaces. Perhaps, also, his years of scientific experimenting to find the right solution, have influenced his approach to art.
Unafraid to build on and modify established techniques, experiment with new technology and explore alternative approaches, Morgan blends elements of the ancient and avant garde to create images that resonate both with tradition and innovation. Morgan's work has been exhibited internationally. In the spring, it decorated the walls of La Boniche in Lowell, and it is currently on display at the Coffee Emporium in Billerica, the Noa Gallery in Groton, and the Chelmsford Art Center.
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Billerica Artist Adds Seniors to His Portrait Gallery
by Nancye Tuttle, Sun Staff
Billerica artist Noredin Morgan has made a name for himself locally over the past few years with his stunning digital print images and mixed media portraits, often of family and friends.
Now he has expanded his repertoire and made a new circle of fans and friends with a series of portraits of 15 senior citizens in his hometown.
His delightfully colorful assemblage, as well as his subjects' stories, are featured in Noredin Morgan Senior Portraits, which opens Monday, with a reception for the artist from 10 a.m.-noon, as part of the grand opening dedication ceremony at the Billerica Senior Center, 25 Concord Road, Billerica.
In his proposal to Chet Sewell, director of the Billerica Council on Aging, Morgan explained that he wanted to "recognize the lives and achievements of our town's elderly residents. Seniors have a seasoned view on the world that is worth exploring. People would find their unique perspective fascinating. Furthermore, I believe the faces of my expressive portraits tell stories or record moments.
Morgan received grant money from the Billerica Cultural Council, through the Mass Cultural Council, for this project, which he hopes will interest and fascinate local residents.
"I feel this exhibit will demonstrate appreciation to our elders for their life accomplishments and contributions," he said.
Already, he has new fans the seniors whose portraits he painted.
"I became a friend of the seniors, and they are all happy with the way I portrayed them," he said.
Morgan is a 19-year resident of Billerica who honed his artistic abilities while living in New York and Europe. A native of Egypt, he worked for 25 years as a director of research at W.R. Grace and ITW.
But his true passion was always art. His work has been exhibited locally at the Chelmsford Library, Brush Art Gallery and LaBoniche in Lowell. Currently, he is featured in the NOA Gallery in Groton and the Art Center, Chelmsford.
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