The Met Celebrates George Morrison: A Pioneer of Abstract Expressionism

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is currently showcasing "The Magical City: George Morrison’s New York," an exhibition running from July 17, 2025, to May 31, 2026, in Gallery 746 North at The Met Fifth Avenue. This exhibition highlights the early works of George Morrison, a Native American artist from the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, who played a significant role in the Abstract Expressionist movement.

Born in 1919 in Chippewa City, Minnesota, Morrison overcame numerous challenges, including poverty and a life-threatening childhood illness, to pursue his passion for art. In 1943, he moved to New York City on a scholarship to study at the Art Students League. There, he immersed himself in the city's vibrant cultural scene, forming connections with artists such as Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, Lois Dodd, and Louise Nevelson. Morrison's experiences in New York, particularly his appreciation for industrial landscapes, jazz, and literature, profoundly influenced his artistic development.

The exhibition features 25 of Morrison's key paintings and drawings from this formative period, culminating in his renowned Horizon series. Additionally, it includes rare archival materials that underscore his contributions to the New York art scene of the 1940s and 1950s. Notably, the exhibition debuts two works recently acquired by The Met: "White Painting" (1965), the first oil painting by Morrison to enter the Museum’s collection, and "Construction in Fantasy" (1953), a gouache and ink drawing created in France.

Patricia Marroquin Norby, Associate Curator of Native American Art in The Met’s American Wing, emphasized the significance of this exhibition:

“This celebration of George Morrison’s work at The Met is long overdue. We are thrilled to honor the artist’s major contributions to the New York School with this exhibition and publication. Morrison strongly impacted the development of the American Abstract Expressionist movement as well as the work of his professional colleagues—artists who respected him as a leader and a voice for their generation.”

Accompanying the exhibition is the summer 2025 issue of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, featuring contributions by historian Dr. Brenda Child, artist Hazel Belvo, and art historian Dr. Laura Joseph. The Bulletin explores Morrison's pivotal role in the development of Abstract Expressionism in the United States and how his unique visual language merged his experiences in New York with his ancestral ties to Anishinaabe homelands and waterways.

This exhibition underscores the significant contributions of Native American artists to mainstream art movements, challenging traditional narratives that often marginalize Indigenous perspectives. By highlighting Morrison's work, The Met acknowledges the diverse influences that have shaped American art history and fosters a more inclusive understanding of the Abstract Expressionist movement.

Visitors to "The Magical City: George Morrison’s New York" have the opportunity to engage with the artist's early works and gain insight into how his experiences in New York City and his Indigenous heritage informed his artistic practice. The exhibition serves as a testament to Morrison's enduring legacy and his role in shaping the trajectory of American art.