ROBERT LEE MORRIS
GALLERY
1983 Gunmetal choker for Anne Klein
Most people have never seen my collection of games and toys. I developed several themes for building block sets :RLM City, RLM Prehistoric, RLM FARM all out of solid brass castings that I carved out of wax. This was part of a larger project I was concocting to raise funds for the Development office of BELOIT COLLEGE. I was on the board of trustees for ten years and had the idea to make products to sell in museum gift stores. That is a huge world I fell into, going to the Museum Shop Gift Shows at the Javits Center…1987ish. These were going to sell as sets of 7-8 pieces of a theme in a Japanese style wooden box. The weight of each box would be hefty & crazy cool. One box could sell for $250 and it becomes a great gift for executives’ desks. My fave is RLM CITY where there is funky fun assortment of skyscrapers and apartment buildings. The other fave is the RLM MEDIEVAL, with stone blocks, carved standing stones for making one’s own Stonehenge, arches and different size stone wall blocks, each one a solid polished chunk of gleaming brass. The RLM FARM was why I started casting plastic animals and mixing dinosaurs, stone walls and a barn. Tell me if you think I should continue to build this miniature world?
Most people have never seen my collection of games and toys. I developed several themes for building block sets :RLM City, RLM Prehistoric, RLM FARM all out of solid brass castings that I carved out of wax. This was part of a larger project I was concocting to raise funds for the Development office of BELOIT COLLEGE. I was on the board of trustees for ten years and had the idea to make products to sell in museum gift stores. That is a huge world I fell into, going to the Museum Shop Gift Shows at the Javits Center…1987ish. These were going to sell as sets of 7-8 pieces of a theme in a Japanese style wooden box. The weight of each box would be hefty & crazy cool. One box could sell for $250 and it becomes a great gift for executives’ desks. My fave is RLM CITY where there is funky fun assortment of skyscrapers and apartment buildings. The other fave is the RLM MEDIEVAL, with stone blocks, carved standing stones for making one’s own Stonehenge, arches and different size stone wall blocks, each one a solid polished chunk of gleaming brass. The RLM FARM was why I started casting plastic animals and mixing dinosaurs, stone walls and a barn. Tell me if you think I should continue to build this miniature world?
9/11 attack happened during Fall Fashion week. Donna and I had not worked together for ten years..But when she got the urge to call me back it was to help build this collection called The Urban Warrior. I am showing the zeroxed copies of the work in progress which today I find fascinating…how much work I would make for a fashion show! The quantities of each design were hefty, and they were killer cool. While we were still all in shock after 9/11 the show had to go on anyway but to see and feel the dramatic dark collection come out on the runway, these gorgeous fearsome woman stomping out in big hard leather boots and black headbands !!!! And then wearing g my curved wedge in khaki colored brass, like modern sci fi armor. What a feeling of rage and determination poured off that runway It became a turning point for America. September 2001 collections went off fine but Donna managed to make the perfect statement for us all. I went wild re-working these large hollow forms with curving wedges, like blades or strong masculine metal gestures, tapered TUSK pins became hair pins and daggers that slipped beneath the wrapped leather belt. Wow. I just love this family of forms. So architectural-perfect for buildings and all things wherever!
9/11 attack happened during Fall Fashion week. Donna and I had not worked together for ten years..But when she got the urge to call me back it was to help build this collection called The Urban Warrior. I am showing the zeroxed copies of the work in progress which today I find fascinating…how much work I would make for a fashion show! The quantities of each design were hefty, and they were killer cool. While we were still all in shock after 9/11 the show had to go on anyway but to see and feel the dramatic dark collection come out on the runway, these gorgeous fearsome woman stomping out in big hard leather boots and black headbands !!!! And then wearing g my curved wedge in khaki colored brass, like modern sci fi armor. What a feeling of rage and determination poured off that runway It became a turning point for America. September 2001 collections went off fine but Donna managed to make the perfect statement for us all. I went wild re-working these large hollow forms with curving wedges, like blades or strong masculine metal gestures, tapered TUSK pins became hair pins and daggers that slipped beneath the wrapped leather belt. Wow. I just love this family of forms. So architectural-perfect for buildings and all things wherever!
I love this one of a kind silver neckpiece I did for my license with the Andy Warhol Foundation. It is quite massive and bold. The outline layer is meant to be a shifting register layer like Andy did with his silk screens.
I love this one of a kind silver neckpiece I did for my license with the Andy Warhol Foundation. It is quite massive and bold. The outline layer is meant to be a shifting register layer like Andy did with his silk screens.
1979 the Copper Tusk Sling made for Geoffrey Beene’s fall runway show..the beginning of my fashion career, this vintage neckpiece caught the attention of Pricilla Tucker the fashion editor of the DAILY NEWS who wrote a scathing review of his runway collection..she wrote that his presentation didn’t come alive until the Robert Lee Morris jewelry came out and chastised him because he didn’t give me any credit in the program! He banned her from attending any future shows. But her calling him out for his overwhelming ego is what helped propel me into the thick of NYC fashion 1979.
1979 the Copper Tusk Sling made for Geoffrey Beene’s fall runway show..the beginning of my fashion career, this vintage neckpiece caught the attention of Pricilla Tucker the fashion editor of the DAILY NEWS who wrote a scathing review of his runway collection..she wrote that his presentation didn’t come alive until the Robert Lee Morris jewelry came out and chastised him because he didn’t give me any credit in the program! He banned her from attending any future shows. But her calling him out for his overwhelming ego is what helped propel me into the thick of NYC fashion 1979.
Necklaces from my Artwear archives, 1- Cara Croninger 24k gold and resin. 2-Kris Ruhs ebony 3- Cara Croninger Shaman pectoral 4- Giampaulo Babette 18k gold long necklace 5- Ted Muehli g Green gold Garland 6- Robert Lee Morris Wedge necklace 7- RLM South Sea Pearl and white gold torsade. 8- RLM Double Row Herringbone brass
Necklaces from my Artwear archives, 1- Cara Croninger 24k gold and resin. 2-Kris Ruhs ebony 3- Cara Croninger Shaman pectoral 4- Giampaulo Babette 18k gold long necklace 5- Ted Muehli g Green gold Garland 6- Robert Lee Morris Wedge necklace 7- RLM South Sea Pearl and white gold torsade. 8- RLM Double Row Herringbone brass
CAROL MOTTY brilliant innovator who was part of the permanent stable of ARTWEAR artists, created jewels of silicone rubber, with a fantastic sense of color. She made molds of found objects and cast them in inexpensive multiples that sold like crazy. As one can see by this flurry of New Years Day posts, I am showcasing the ingenious quality that was abundant in my gallery. I curated the selection to include not only artists who broke new ground with use of materials, but were able to reveal their unique DNA in every piece. The opposite of what is prevalent in today’s modern jewelry.
CAROL MOTTY brilliant innovator who was part of the permanent stable of ARTWEAR artists, created jewels of silicone rubber, with a fantastic sense of color. She made molds of found objects and cast them in inexpensive multiples that sold like crazy. As one can see by this flurry of New Years Day posts, I am showcasing the ingenious quality that was abundant in my gallery. I curated the selection to include not only artists who broke new ground with use of materials, but were able to reveal their unique DNA in every piece. The opposite of what is prevalent in today’s modern jewelry.
PAVEL OPOCENSKY another international jewelry legend, a true sculptor, carved this brooch series out of cuttlebone. Three dimensional with little steel balls that rolled around inside complex patterns! From my extensive private collection.
PAVEL OPOCENSKY another international jewelry legend, a true sculptor, carved this brooch series out of cuttlebone. Three dimensional with little steel balls that rolled around inside complex patterns! From my extensive private collection.
BOB EBENDORF, a legend in the academic jewelry world had a show at ARTWEAR in the early 90s and I bought this amazingly edgy necklace.
BOB EBENDORF, a legend in the academic jewelry world had a show at ARTWEAR in the early 90s and I bought this amazingly edgy necklace.
ERIC RHEIN one of the most unique artists in ARTWEAR created his jewelry out of layers of fabric, paint, wire and other mysterious elements.
ERIC RHEIN one of the most unique artists in ARTWEAR created his jewelry out of layers of fabric, paint, wire and other mysterious elements.
GLORIA LOMAS one of my ARTWEAR artists who constructed her jewelry out of wood and tree lichen and had a glamorous look. Large scale, bold, high fashion and an utterly inventive approach to using nature as her toolbox.
GLORIA LOMAS one of my ARTWEAR artists who constructed her jewelry out of wood and tree lichen and had a glamorous look. Large scale, bold, high fashion and an utterly inventive approach to using nature as her toolbox.
Various BROOOCHES I made for Donna Karan over the years..
ARTWEAR THROUGH THE YEARS. 1/ 1977 Edith in the original gallery 28 East 74 st 2/Carol Motty silicone rubber and silk body scarf. 3/ Jessica Rose red glass bead bracelet 4/ Kiff Slemmons Yellow pencil brooch 5/ Gloria Lomas blue glass earrings 6/ John Iversen Bangle 7 Iversen bangle of hollow wood construction 8/ Kris Ruhs ebony bracelets 9/ Laurence de Vries silver brooch 10/ ARTWEAR new storefront West Broadway 1987
ARTWEAR THROUGH THE YEARS. 1/ 1977 Edith in the original gallery 28 East 74 st 2/Carol Motty silicone rubber and silk body scarf. 3/ Jessica Rose red glass bead bracelet 4/ Kiff Slemmons Yellow pencil brooch 5/ Gloria Lomas blue glass earrings 6/ John Iversen Bangle 7 Iversen bangle of hollow wood construction 8/ Kris Ruhs ebony bracelets 9/ Laurence de Vries silver brooch 10/ ARTWEAR new storefront West Broadway 1987
My collection of TED MUEHLING jewelry is astounding. Look at just some of his brilliant pieces that are on my website. He is still one of the greatest designers I have ever known. These earrings, haircomb and necklace are made of exotic materials such as Niobium, Titanium, acrylic that is backed with pure gold leaf and sterling silver. His iconic, painfully beautiful, instantly recognizable and collectible work is supremely valuable.
My collection of TED MUEHLING jewelry is astounding. Look at just some of his brilliant pieces that are on my website. He is still one of the greatest designers I have ever known. These earrings, haircomb and necklace are made of exotic materials such as Niobium, Titanium, acrylic that is backed with pure gold leaf and sterling silver. His iconic, painfully beautiful, instantly recognizable and collectible work is supremely valuable.
Gems from the Donna Karan fall 1988 collection now listed on my site. This collection empathized three gemstone colors, black onyx, carnelian and green jadeite. I am finally allowing myself to part with these historic pieces of fashion jewelry which I have jealously guarded since they came off the runway! These are all signed by me and one of a kind. Dramatically gorgeous especially when worn in nesting lengths. Black and gold …hard to go wrong with that combo!
Gems from the Donna Karan fall 1988 collection now listed on my site. This collection empathized three gemstone colors, black onyx, carnelian and green jadeite. I am finally allowing myself to part with these historic pieces of fashion jewelry which I have jealously guarded since they came off the runway! These are all signed by me and one of a kind. Dramatically gorgeous especially when worn in nesting lengths. Black and gold …hard to go wrong with that combo!
Here, a few examples of my silver work over the decades including the crazy stuff I did under a license with Warner Brothers for Looney Tunes and Batman DC Comics.
Here, a few examples of my silver work over the decades including the crazy stuff I did under a license with Warner Brothers for Looney Tunes and Batman DC Comics.
Here is the beginning of the NYTimes story
Yesterday in the STYLE section of the NYTimes.com online is an interesting story on Silver and the author leads with a story about yours truly. Thanks Misty Sidell and the NYTimes.
Yesterday in the STYLE section of the NYTimes.com online is an interesting story on Silver and the author leads with a story about yours truly. Thanks Misty Sidell and the NYTimes.
Feeling RADIANT. New work.
Sterling Silver Small Heart pendant, solid and hefty this classic iconic piece is back in stock at $175.
Sterling Silver Small Heart pendant, solid and hefty this classic iconic piece is back in stock at $175.
BRRRRR. Yikes it’s cold! So here are my iconic brooches to fashion up winter coats! My squiggly personal language of forms that move and jiggle across one’s body. Gold or hematite plated pins from my archives/ website!
BRRRRR. Yikes it’s cold! So here are my iconic brooches to fashion up winter coats! My squiggly personal language of forms that move and jiggle across one’s body. Gold or hematite plated pins from my archives/ website!
My earrings in “Home Alone” Christmas movie and of course I probably have these very earrings still in my archives! How funny to catch them here! It’s always a shock when I find my jewelry in movies.
My earrings in “Home Alone” Christmas movie and of course I probably have these very earrings still in my archives! How funny to catch them here! It’s always a shock when I find my jewelry in movies.
Wabi Sabi category=old, worn, lovingly used, brass and patinas, earth colors. All newly created pieces from my library, as I finally complete many pieces that I started decades ago and never finished. None of these are listed on my site but will be soon. I like showing all you my range of forms and ideas about scale, dimension, style and construction. Clearly I am not a jeweler, but more a metal sculptor for the body.
Wabi Sabi category=old, worn, lovingly used, brass and patinas, earth colors. All newly created pieces from my library, as I finally complete many pieces that I started decades ago and never finished. None of these are listed on my site but will be soon. I like showing all you my range of forms and ideas about scale, dimension, style and construction. Clearly I am not a jeweler, but more a metal sculptor for the body.
Gold in motion
WELCOME TO MY MUSEUM & GALLERY OF COLLECTIBLE WOMEN’S AND MEN’S JEWELRY
Herein you will find the archives from the Robert Lee Morris personal collection that has been slowly gathered over a 52 year range, containing works of art to wear and adore. These are all original handmade pieces of stunning women and men’s jewelry that have been created to sell through ARTWEAR jewelry gallery. These pieces come from the many collections that Robert made for fashion designers such as Geoffrey Beene, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors and Kansai Yamamoto. Many of the archives have now been selling through fine art auctions and it is exciting to see how the original values have soared.
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Review of THE POWER OF JEWELRY by Robert Lee Morris on AMAZON
Robert Lee Morris is unquestioningly one of the most innovative designers of body ornament of our time. Long noted for his distinctive fusion of primal forms, hand workmanship, and cutting edge sensibility, his organic pieces are enthusiastically sought by connoisseurs of high fashion around the world. This book written by the artist himself and profusely illustrated with examples of his work, presents the varied production of his design genius over the course of his career. The many images of Morris’s work in metal and stone will fascinate anyone interested in the history if design and will be an inspiration and will be an inspiration to collectors, designers and students alike.
From Publishers Weekly
By the time he was 31, Morris had become one of the most influential jewelry designers in North America: his creations appeared all over fashion magazines like Vogue; his Manhattan jewelry store had become a favorite spot of celebrities like Bianca Jagger and Andy Warhol; and his work was marching down the runways of Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Kansai Yamamoto and Donna Karan. In this coffee-table book cum memoir, Morris explains “how he grew from a self-taught jewelry designer to a recognizable brand name in such a relatively short time.” The designer, who is known for his “edgy blend of modern and tribal effects,” attributes his global sensibility to his college courses in anthropology and to his upbringing as an “Airforce brat.” He moved 23 times before he was 18 and lived for several years in Japan and Brazil. But its clear that the mainsprings of Morris’ success are his joyful, single-minded focus on his work and his savvy entrepreneurial spirit. Though his book contains asides on his marriage, his travels and his study of shamanism, it centers mostly on the origins of his signature creations, the development of the “designer jewelry” consumer niche in the 1970s and 80s, and the way he managed his brand “as if it were a wild horse in a rodeo.” Morris now designs up to 10 jewelry collections a year, and though the name-dropping can be a bit heavy-handed in spots, his memoir is full of friendly advice for young artists. Morris fans will appreciate this careful history, but readers unfamiliar with his designs may find themselves skipping pages to stare at the large, full-color photos of his smooth knuckle rings, gently bulging necklaces, mesh belts, herringbone collars and sensual bracelets. They are unlike anything else.
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