Michael Morris Gallery

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Born into a family of carpenters and woodworkers, it was only natural that Michael would follow the path his father and brothers had laid before him.  Michael's creativity and artistic talent were apparent from an early age and showed in his craftsmanship and attention to detail as he honed his skills in more conventional applications.  His aptitude for solving difficult design problems, both interior and architectural, along with his years of custom woodworking have given him the strong foundation of technical expertise he draws from to create the detailed carvings and sculptures he is known for today.

Carving, for Michael, is an opportunity to explore and emulate the works of his mentor, Mother Nature.  His interpretations of nature’s delicate and intricate forms, created through the passage of time, are captured in wood for us all to enjoy.  Before he lifts his tools, however, there is a great deal of planning to be done.

Michael’s vivid imagination, inspired by his connection to nature, creates the stories for his work, sometimes shaping the designs around a client’s special needs or interests. Other factors influence the design, the properties of the wood to be used and the purpose of the carving, as many of Michael's pieces are “functional art”. The piece's final resting place needs to be taken into account, if it is to be exposed again to Mother Nature, then he must design the piece to blend with her, as the elements work their own magic.  Research, sometimes historical, must be done to ensure the accuracy of each design. Once all the technicalities are addressed, his vision begins to take shape.

Michael's fascination with time and history has led him to sculpt beautiful Grandfather Clocks that illustrate his stories in their curves.  To create these timeless heirlooms, Michael must build the structures from the inside out, laminating wood around the empty spaces that will later house the gears, weights and pendulum of each clock.  This structure, once completed, is then sculpted, carved with a story unique to each clock.

With each of his sculptures Michael coaxes a story to life using everything from mechanized tools to knives he's fashioned himself to suit his needs. Michael has been interviewed by CBC radio and CFJC television, his work documented in the Globe and Mail, Kamloops This Week, and the Star Journal. Michael's work can be found in homes and collections across Canada and in the United States.