Kristin Morris on Self-Expression Through Her Art
Kristin Morris is a Columbus-based, 3-D sculpture artist. Her work is often on view at festivals and in exhibitions around the city and is currently on view at the Greater Columbus Art Council’s Loann Crane Gallery as part of the Accessible Expressions Ohio exhibition through Sept. 30.
Megan: Kristin, tell me a little bit about yourself.
Kristin: I’m originally from Springfield, Ohio. I’m in a 3D mixed media artist and I’m living in Columbus, in Hilliard. I have a studio at home and a studio at Chromedge Studios in Franklinton. I do sculpture, and I’ve gotten into doing some sewing.
Megan: How did you become an artist?
Kristin: I’ve always been interested in art. When I was a kid, I took art classes at the art center downtown and in Springfield. I went to a liberal arts college, where I made seven gargoyle-like, ceramic sculptures for my senior independent study called Grotesque. After college I really wanted to get more art training. I wanted to learn the basics, so I went to CCAD. Art runs in my family — there are artists on both sides. I’m influenced by Tim Burton, Maurice Sendak, Brian Froud, Jim Henson.
Megan: How would you describe your artwork?
Kristin: My main thing is ceramic sculpture, but years ago one of my teachers at the Cultural Arts Center described my art as “playfully macabre.” It’s all so been described as “creepy cute” or “scary cute” because it’s kind of on the dark side. Because of some of the things I’ve been through, depression and different things, it comes out in my artwork. I just put myself into it. It’s darker, but that’s kind of my style.
Megan: What is your process like?
Kristin: Sometimes I sketch things. Sometimes I see something on Pinterest that sparks my interest, and then other times I get an idea in my head, I just go for it. But the funny thing is, my mom does everything on the wheel, and she considers herself a craft person. I’m an artist. But when we go places, she’ll see something like at the flea market, and she’ll say, “Oh my gosh! You could totally use that to make X-Y-Z.” She can see it what it can become, but she can’t make it. So, she tells me, and then I do it.
Megan: Your current work Harpie is part of the Accessible Expressions Ohio exhibition. What has it been like to be part of that exhibition?
Kristin: I just think it’s been a great experience for me. I’m honored to be a part of it, and just amazed at the talent in the exhibition. I think it’s great that artists with disabilities have an outlet to showcase their work. I hope that maybe by being in there it will inspire other artists with disabilities to get out there and not feel afraid to put their work out there for other people to see.
I had a show at Fresh A.I.R. Gallery in 2017 and at the time I was thinking, “Do I really want to tell people I have bipolar disorder and OCD? Do I really want to tell people about my mental illness?” I was afraid. But it was a phenomenal experience. Without it, I probably would not have applied to Accessible Expressions Ohio, because I would have been too scared. And now I’m writing and illustrating about my experiences with bipolar disorder.
Megan: What advice do you have for other artists in Columbus?
Kristin: Being in Columbus, it’s such a vibrant art scene. I think there’s great ways to get involved. I would say to submit your work for grants, because there’s a lot of grants out there. Join various art groups that you’re interested in. People may tell you that they’re not into what you’re doing. I think if you like what you’re doing, and you’re happy with it yourself, then do what you want to do. Try new things, too. I’m predominantly a 3D sculpture artist, but I’ve started doing drawings and painting. I think it’s just fun to experiment with different things.
Keep up with Kristin’s work at klmorrisstudios.com or at @klmorrisstudios on Instagram. See her piece in the Accessible Expressions Ohio exhibition, on view at the Loann Crane Gallery at the Greater Columbus Arts Council (182 E. Long St.) through Sept. 30.
This article is part of a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council as part of the Art Makes Columbus campaign. Explore a calendar of events, public art database and artist stories at columbusmakesart.com. To learn more about GCAC grants visit gcac.org.