Frank Morbillo was born in Queens and raised on Long Island, but as a young adult moved west, first to Montana and eventually to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Natural forces of entropy and change have been strong themes in Frank’s work for more than two decades.
The increasing social, political and environmental commentary about our place within the world has “found its way into my work with greater frequency and I often find myself walking the line between artist and activist."
These thoughts are "part of my working mind and living being and manifest themselves in my titles, which are descriptive but also pose questions to the viewer.” Frank’s hope is “that the viewers make a connection between the natural as well as political origins of the work, increasing personal awareness and responsibility, and the need to acknowledge and adapt to inevitable change.”
Within the content of his work is “an applied aesthetic that considers form, line, volume, color, proportions and, materials.” Frank acknowledges “the more familiar I become with processles and materials, the greater potential for creativity and expression in the work.”
“At times I'll start making a sculpture knowing what I want” he observes and other times “I loosen controls to see where it goes. Strong design allows work to endure; balance of proportions, contrasts of materials and textures function to create tension”, which is a hallmark of his sculptures.
Frank says “the recent introduction of cast glass has broadened the range of color and translucency, increasing the contrast of materials, resulting in a greater dynamic of expression in the work.”
The fragile nature of the glass has also helped to emphasize our tenuous relationship with the environment, other nations and one another.
Education:
1984 MFA Sculpture – University of Montana
1981-2 Stony Brook University, NY, 1981-2 Special study projects (Steel and Concrete),
1980 BFA Sculpture – Alfred University, NY
Exhibitions and Commissions:
2013
“Focus on Landscapes”, Matthews Gallery, Santa Fe, NM - Group show
“Spectrum”, Matthews Gallery, Santa Fe, NM - Group Show
“State of the Art- A Survey of New Mexico Artists”, Matthews Gallery, Santa Fe, NM - Group show
2010
“Frank Morbillo - New Work 2010”, Matthews Gallery, Santa Fe, NM - Solo Show
2008 - Miniatures and More Show", The Albuquerque Museum, “Miniatures Show”, Albuquerque, NM
2007
Craighead Green Gallery , Dallas TX, Three Person Show
Alfred University, Alfred NY, Breaking The Mold Show
NM Sculptors Guild at the Sculpture Ranch, Santa Fe NM
Introductions North, Denton Arts Council, Denton TX
Lennar Communities Commission, Palm Springs CA.
2006
Sculptor and Painter show, Remmi Fine Art, Denver CO.
Solo Exhibition, Deloney Newkirk, Santa Fe NM
2005
"Toy Show" Shidoni Gallery, Santa Fe NM
Opening Exhibit Sculpturesite Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Featured Artist, Shidoni Gallery, Santa Fe NM
"The Making Of Monuments In Bronze", Museum of New Mexico Lecture Series
Waldorf, Fountain Commission – Santa Rosa, CA
Solomon, Fountain and Bench Commission – Knoxville, TN
2004
A New Leaf Gallery ‘Water Works 2004”
Featured Artist Spring, Lumina Gallery North
“Manifesto 04”, Scenario - A site-specific installation Sculpture Ranch, Santa Fe, NM
2003
Inside Out” New Mexico Sculptors’ Guild Show
Sculpture Commission, 18’ stainless “Dance Partners Fountain,” Lumina
Gallery North, Taos, New Mexico.
Opening Exhibit Invitational, Lumina North
Furniture Show, Shidoni Arts Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
2002
“Sculpture, NOW,” inaugural invitational, The Sculpture-Ranch, Santa Fe, NM
“In the Round: Sculpture at the Roundhouse,” Governor’s Gallery, New Mexico State Capitol. Co- sponsored by the NM Sculptors’ Guild and the Capitol Art Foundation.
Sculpture Commission, 10’ bronze “Healing Partners,” New Mexico Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM
2001
Sculpture Commission, 9’ bronze “Dancing Curves,” Appleton Public Library, Appleton, WI
“30th Anniversary Outdoor Sculpture Show," Shidoni Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
“Sit On It,” invitational furniture show, and “Water Visions,” New Leaf Gallery, Berkeley, CA
2000
Sculpture Commission, 10’ stainless steel “Nocera Trio” Tampa FL
Shidoni Craft Gallery , Grand Opening
New Leaf Gallery, Ten Year Anniversary Show, Berkley, CA
1999
Cheekwood Museum and Botanical Gardens, Grand Opening, Nashville, TN
Karen Newby Gallery, Tubac AZ
Paseo Sculpture Show, Palm Springs CA
1998 - 1985
Sculpture Commission, 16’ stainless steel piece for Northwestern Mutual Life, Dallas, TX
“Earth Works,” site-specific show combining visual art and nature; Santa Fe, NM
“Bronze Age ’98,” sculpture show, New Leaf Garden Gallery
Grand Opening Show, Ridhwan Sculpture Garden in Taos, NM
“Water Visions ’97,” New Leaf Garden Gallery"25th Anniversary Outdoor Sculpture Show," Shidoni Gallery
"Water Visions '96," New Leaf Garden Gallery, Berkeley, CA
"Furniture Show," New Leaf Garden Gallery
Cynthia Woody Gallery, Scottsdale AZ.
Two-artist exhibit, Shidoni Contemporary Gallery
Group show, New Leaf Garden Gallery, Berkeley, CA
Outdoor sculpture show , Westin Mission Hills Rancho Mirage, CA
"Los Alamos Shows Shidoni," outdoor exhibition in City of Los Alamos
Selected Collections:
Lumina North Taos, NM
Albuquerque Cancer Center Albuquerque, NM
Appleton Public Library, Appleton, WI
Northwest Mutual Life Insurance Building, Dallas, TX
Cheekwood Museum and Botanical Gardens, Nashville, TN
Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM
Bradbury Science Museum, Los Alamos, NM
Hyatt-Regency, Albuquerque, NM
University of Montana Library, Missoula, MO