Morgan Sims, an artist whose upbringing was surrounded by straight lines, has embarked on a creative journey that challenges the conventional notions of boundaries and definitions. Growing up, he worked alongside his father, laying orderly rows of pipes, and was exposed to his mother’s quilts, which showcased abstract blocking in meticulous grids. It was during his time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that Sims found his passion for printmaking, relishing the hands-on nature of the process and the satisfaction it brought him in creating pixelated paintings.
While Sims still creates prints, he has gained recognition for his captivating pixelated paintings and neon sculptures. His talent has been showcased in well-received group shows at Heaven Gallery, and his neon sculpture titled “Palisade,” resembling a tent made a lasting impression at the MDW Fair. Now, at Bert Green Fine Art, Sims is preparing for his first solo pixelated paintings exhibition in three years.
Sims’ inclination towards lines and grids continues to manifest in his current work, permeating his paintings and neon creations. However, rather than seeing lines as mere delineations, Sims seeks to push their boundaries and defy expectations. He wants his art to evolve, to never be confined by the limits of a single definition. In his series “Cascade,” leaning neon sections against a wall at various angles transforms rigid lines into graceful curves when viewed from the side. In “Gumby,” Sims distorts the familiar characters through block imaging, blurring their recognizability. His lines disrupt and confuse the world rather than offering clarity.
Like many artists, Sims grapples with conflicting ideas about art and its purpose. Can art be both accessible and artistically ingenious? Can art rooted in the past still break new ground? These questions, rather than paralyzing him, fuel his creative fire. Sims believes in constant reinvention and innovation, continually challenging himself to find new ways of creating something interesting and fresh.
Inspired by artist James Turrell and his ongoing land art project, “Roden Crater,” Sims rejects the notion of a magnum opus in his own artistic journey. Instead, he envisions a series of increasingly ambitious projects, refusing to be boxed in by predefined lines. For Morgan Sims, the pursuit of art is an ever-evolving process, an exploration of new possibilities and uncharted territories.