Biographical Information
Nicholas Edward Morris
18 rue Nicolet
Grenoble 38100
France
Born November 11th, 1990 in Chico, California
Academic Background
Institut d'Urbanisme et Géographie Alpine, Grenoble, France
Candidate for Masters in geography, planning, environment and development, specialization in innovation and territory, researching the capacity of socially engaged art practices to re-imagine and transform politics, planning and territorial development.
California College of the Arts, Oakland CA
B.F.A. in sculpture with visual studies minor, highest distinction 2013
Philadelphia University, Philadelphia PA
Architectural studies 2009
Creative Projects
Histoires de Pays Lointains, Grenoble, France 2017
Ongoing cartography project producing topographical ceramic maps void of typography or demarcation, thus representing sections of the earth in pure earth
Tassajara Gate, Tassajara CA 2013
Organizer in project led by Zen Priest Paul Discoe rebuilding the front gate at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center, the first Zen monastery outside of Asia
Structural Alternatives, Oakland CA 2013
Creator and co-developer of project based class at the California College of the Arts determined to bring about physical, social and environmental alternatives, forming a research team studying building techniques, societal structures and the impact of human activities on the planet
Bric a Brac, Greater Bay Area CA 2012
Collaborator in form flexible project aiming to understand and develop connections between the natural and built environment through the fabrication and use of a Compressed Earth Brick press used as a learning and building tool
Social Craft, Bangalore India 2011
Co-creator of pedagogical project at the Srishti School of Art and Design, exploring the physical and ephemeral qualities of home and valuing daily routines as sources of physical, mental, emotional, and social learning.
Occupational Experience
Orthotic Composites, London UK 2014-2017
Composite orthotics workshop manager
Joinery Structures, Oakland CA 2011-2013
Apprenticeship under ordained Zen Priest Paul Discoe in traditional Japanese Joinery
California College of the Arts, Sculpture Program, Oakland, CA 2010-2012
Wood, Metal, Plaster, Wax, Studio Shop Monitor
Land Image, Landscape Architects and Planners, Chico, CA 2009
Intern, Green Roof Feasibility Study
A4 Architects. Carbondale, CO, 2008
Intern
Participation
Arts & Pedagogy
"Socially and Community Engaged Art. What is it and who is doing it?" Module mentored by Rick Lowe with Elpida Rikou, Biella Italy 2017
Certificate of Completion
Art of the MOOC: Merging Public Art and Experimental Education, Global 2015
Certificate of Completion with Distinction
MilesKM 2015 Tanteo Art School, London UK 2015
Creative Pedagogy Research Panelist
Building & Community
California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture, Hesperia CA 2012
Earth bag emergency shelter long-term apprentice
SPACE, Oakland CA 2011-2013
Co-founder and chair of radical, informal society dedicated to critical artistic praxis, dialogue and thoughtful dinners
Green Home Works. Philadelphia PA 2009
Living roof construction project for local agricultural college
Language
Institut Francais, London UK 2016-2017
French Language studies certified to CECR C1
British Institute of Persian Studies, London UK 2015
Intensive Persian Language Course (début B2)
Composites / Orthotics
Dark Matter, Redbourn UK 2017
Composites Training Course (carbon fiber, glass fiber, aramid, modern composites)
National Center for Prosthetics and Orthotics, Glasgow UK 2015
Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthotics Short Course
Exhibitions, Publications & Awards
Territoire Apprenant, recipient of subvention from la Commission Culture Aides aux Projets à l'Université Grenoble Alpes, France, 2017
All Around Us Always, Colpa Press, Publication contributor in poetry, San Francisco CA 2013
Social Craft Presents Home, Exhibition and Publication co-author, San Francisco CA 2012
Feastival, Solo exhibition, Oakland CA 2013
Ronald & Anita Wornick Award Exhibition, San Francisco CA 2012
IMPACT - $10,000 Social Entrepreneurship Award, San Francisco CA 2012
Ronald & Anita Wornick Scholarship for excellence in woodworking 2011
Cries of San Francisco, Member of group exhibition organized by artist Allison Smith at Southern Exposure, San Francisco CA 2011
Before Charcoal, Exhibition with artist Joseph Thomas, San Francisco CA 2010
Humble Pie Literary Journal, Publication contributor in poetry, Oakland CA 2010
CCA Excellence in Student Leadership Award 2012
CCA Excellence in Student Leadership Award: Sustainability Leader 2010
CCA Creative Achievement Award
International Experience
Since autumn 2017, Grenoble, France has been Nicholas’ home. Between 2013 and 2017, he lived and worked in London, England. During this time, he traveled to Iran, France, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Turkey, Morocco, and Canada for periods of time lasting between one and four weeks each. Nicholas lived and completed a project in Bangalore, India in the summer of 2012. Prior to this, he had visited Ireland, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and Bonaire.