Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Grasham.
Morgan, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
From a young age, nature and art have been my two loves. After receiving my BFA in Art, I spent several years as an Artist-in-Residence at the Chicken Farm Art Center in San Angelo, TX. My time there was life changing, opening me up to the community, and giving me time to experiment. I worked as a taxidermist at this time and started working collaboratively with my partner and ceramicist Eric Grasham. Together, we made a series of surreal interactive taxidermy animals with ceramic sets in their backs. People started noticing and responding to our work. Eventually, I decided to get my MFA and we moved to Dallas. A professor of mine, John Pomara, introduced us to the lovely Joan Davidow of Site 131, and we were lucky enough to have a show there. From there, we were featured in KERA Art & Seek, and I was asked to speak at the Amon Carter. I am now in my last semester of graduate school at the University of North Texas. I have taught several classes and worked as a Tech in the Fabrication Lab there. It is and has been a wonderful experience, surrounded by an amazing community of artists. I don’t know yet what is next, but I have a lot to look forward to.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Of course, the path of an artist is a rough one. Eric and I started in Austin, which was and is rife with gentrification. The art scene is amazing, but it’s extremely difficult to live there as an artist. Everywhere we have been, the biggest struggle was supporting ourselves without sacrificing our work. That’s one reason I became a taxidermist; to be paid to learn a new medium that I could use in my practice. Not everyone is lucky enough to find a supporting job that is relevant to their passion. We have also been fortunate in having supportive families who helped us in emergencies. Financial instability can be rough and stressful, but to get to do what I love is the ultimate reward and worth all the challenges.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I think I am known for being a taxidermist, or for my odd, surreal creatures. My time as a taxidermist changed my perspective drastically. It showed me how much people desire nature, and the lengths they are willing to go to feel closer to it. But the effects of our desire are often complicated, contradictory, and unpredictable. Exploring these effects is what makes my work unique. My use of spectacle is what makes the work memorable.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in suburban Dallas. I collected Beanie Babies and Pokemon cards. I watched Steve Irwin’s Crocodile Hunter on Animal Planet. I cut images of amphibians out of nature magazines and made collages on my walls. I tried my darnest to keep my Tamagotchi alive. Anything with legs, I tried to catch in the streets. I drew and constantly painted, even when I wasn’t supposed to be. I was always shy, reserved. My childhood was not the kindest, but it made me strong, it made me who I am, and I wouldn’t change anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: GrashamStudios.com
- Email: info@morgangrasham.com
- Instagram: @morgangrasham
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grashamstudios/
Image Credit:
Images of The Stilling Engine, Bearing Service, and Sow and Harvest by Bryan Kuntz. All other images are by me.
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
