ROBERT LEE MORRIS
GALLERY
Sting Ray sculptures in various heights and sizes are my new fave obsession. I have always been fascinated by this beautiful sea creature and it’s soft flowing movements, like a bird in water, wings spread out in sensuality and grace. I often call to them in the spirit world to guide and inspire me.
Sting Ray sculptures in various heights and sizes are my new fave obsession. I have always been fascinated by this beautiful sea creature and it’s soft flowing movements, like a bird in water, wings spread out in sensuality and grace. I often call to them in the spirit world to guide and inspire me.
The DART COLLECTION, was born in 1982. Based on the feather arrangement from throwing darts, proof that I am NOT a jeweler! It’s ARTWEAR!
See the many variations on my website (link in bio).
The DART COLLECTION, was born in 1982. Based on the feather arrangement from throwing darts, proof that I am NOT a jeweler! It’s ARTWEAR!
See the many variations on my website (link in bio).
Silver silver silver silver
FINALLY, I am launching today my Iconic Disc Sculptures on my website. They range in size from small 5” diameter to 18” diameter but can be ordered in larger sizes up to 24” diameter (across) for a really important and powerful image for within one’s home. All hand forged brass and they come with a black stand.
FINALLY, I am launching today my Iconic Disc Sculptures on my website. They range in size from small 5” diameter to 18” diameter but can be ordered in larger sizes up to 24” diameter (across) for a really important and powerful image for within one’s home. All hand forged brass and they come with a black stand.
Wabi Sabi jewelry seems like the opposite of what jewels are all about..where is the sparkle? Where is the VALUE? To me, from the beginning of my long career, I have treasured these spirit filled surfaces, the motley coloration, the blend of greens and browns with flares of pink. Like paintings or worn and used objects that carry our love and handling over years of use. Raised in Japan as a child, the Wabi Sabi culture left a lasting impression on me. Here are a few earrings that carry a shocking brilliant color, perfect for fashion as a counter punch to a total look.
Wabi Sabi jewelry seems like the opposite of what jewels are all about..where is the sparkle? Where is the VALUE? To me, from the beginning of my long career, I have treasured these spirit filled surfaces, the motley coloration, the blend of greens and browns with flares of pink. Like paintings or worn and used objects that carry our love and handling over years of use. Raised in Japan as a child, the Wabi Sabi culture left a lasting impression on me. Here are a few earrings that carry a shocking brilliant color, perfect for fashion as a counter punch to a total look.
SILVER earring galore! I love how many ways these body casts have improved my life!!!
Earrings Galore. My very expensive new method of showing scale for earrings on my website. Why pay for a supermodel when you have a Xerox copy of one? So classy….anyway, here is a wild variety of ideas and forms and colors and many very vintage one of a kind pairs. 1974-79
Earrings Galore. My very expensive new method of showing scale for earrings on my website. Why pay for a supermodel when you have a Xerox copy of one? So classy….anyway, here is a wild variety of ideas and forms and colors and many very vintage one of a kind pairs. 1974-79
Sterling silver pendants the most casual jewelry from a very casual guy.
Back when QVC was blowing out my jewelry and I became a major story teller. Lisa Robertson, what a fabulous glamorous host.
Back when QVC was blowing out my jewelry and I became a major story teller. Lisa Robertson, what a fabulous glamorous host.
Finally the Knuckle Rings are ready. Just making small batches of the five sizes. I love them. I keep getting requests for them. So yeah, finally now available!
Finally the Knuckle Rings are ready. Just making small batches of the five sizes. I love them. I keep getting requests for them. So yeah, finally now available!
Cara CRONINGER master of color, scale, powerful jewelry in resin. This knockout bangle is both a killer piece of jewelry and a tabletop sculpture.
Cara CRONINGER master of color, scale, powerful jewelry in resin. This knockout bangle is both a killer piece of jewelry and a tabletop sculpture.
My Lips pin for Donna Karan 1992.
COMING SOON
Today I was gifted an amazing article written by MARILYN KIRSHNER @marilyn.kirschner on her www.lookonline.com site! Being a fashion editor for 21 years at Bazaar she knows a few things about dressing. In our many conversations I realized she was influencing me with her genius use of my gold plated pins as a way to spice up her wardrobe. She loves to combine them and create unique stories as seen in the shot of my Chandelier pin on her YSL jacket. While I am living in the countryside now it is such a thrill to suddenly be recognized again, but this time for my pins. Yes as you can see in my website and on 1stDibs I have quite a few left over from the many many runway shows I worked on, like these I am highlighting. Thanks to Marilyn for bringing attention to me, little ole me, as I continue to create and pound away making real giant chandeliers for peoples homes.
Today I was gifted an amazing article written by MARILYN KIRSHNER @marilyn.kirschner on her www.lookonline.com site! Being a fashion editor for 21 years at Bazaar she knows a few things about dressing. In our many conversations I realized she was influencing me with her genius use of my gold plated pins as a way to spice up her wardrobe. She loves to combine them and create unique stories as seen in the shot of my Chandelier pin on her YSL jacket. While I am living in the countryside now it is such a thrill to suddenly be recognized again, but this time for my pins. Yes as you can see in my website and on 1stDibs I have quite a few left over from the many many runway shows I worked on, like these I am highlighting. Thanks to Marilyn for bringing attention to me, little ole me, as I continue to create and pound away making real giant chandeliers for peoples homes.
Sterling silver necklaces created in the early 80’s reveal my crazy love of volume and organic forms.
Sterling silver necklaces created in the early 80’s reveal my crazy love of volume and organic forms.
These gold plated necklaces area perfect example of my attempting to make hard edge geometry FLUID so they flow like cloth around the neck. I have always adored the challenge of having to make 3-4 different thematic collections per year for decades… keeping my iconic style pure while constantly exploring new ways to say the same thing. All these now on my website. I guess since I have NEVER been a “Jeweler”, I make sculpture for the human form to wear.
These gold plated necklaces area perfect example of my attempting to make hard edge geometry FLUID so they flow like cloth around the neck. I have always adored the challenge of having to make 3-4 different thematic collections per year for decades… keeping my iconic style pure while constantly exploring new ways to say the same thing. All these now on my website. I guess since I have NEVER been a “Jeweler”, I make sculpture for the human form to wear.
During the mid 80’s period of hysterical energy in fashion, CHARMS and Talismans were very popular. I used to lecture on the symbology I was researching, how the heart and the fertility goddess were nearly the same forms…I saw fertility symbols in linghams, Yonis and swords knives and daggers. Masculinity was in the heft of the pieces, worn on long black cords in multiples. A Heart a Dagger and a Cross, such were the vibes of that time. The crush for crosses was astonishing.
Hearts made of solid brass with the feel of gold. Now I am doing a very limited group of keychains, key ring pendants all in solid brass, aged in shades of khaki to lemon. Chunky charms with the brand name on the keyring. There is a Wabi Sabi umbrella over these little clumps of metal I carved. Worn, imperfect but aged into a deep permanent patina. When worn the become slightly polished as they wear against your clothes and skin.
I am working on a silver group later in the summer. These are like toys to me.
During the mid 80’s period of hysterical energy in fashion, CHARMS and Talismans were very popular. I used to lecture on the symbology I was researching, how the heart and the fertility goddess were nearly the same forms…I saw fertility symbols in linghams, Yonis and swords knives and daggers. Masculinity was in the heft of the pieces, worn on long black cords in multiples. A Heart a Dagger and a Cross, such were the vibes of that time. The crush for crosses was astonishing.
Hearts made of solid brass with the feel of gold. Now I am doing a very limited group of keychains, key ring pendants all in solid brass, aged in shades of khaki to lemon. Chunky charms with the brand name on the keyring. There is a Wabi Sabi umbrella over these little clumps of metal I carved. Worn, imperfect but aged into a deep permanent patina. When worn the become slightly polished as they wear against your clothes and skin.
I am working on a silver group later in the summer. These are like toys to me.
Massive Ball Cuff, forged silver, 1975, classic vintage RLM.
Jessica Rose glass bead bracelet from my ARTWEAR archives is such a bright light. The bracelet is constructed on strong memory wire, and springs open and closed, clutching the wrist. The beads flap back and forth providing endless fun and instant drama.
Jessica Rose glass bead bracelet from my ARTWEAR archives is such a bright light. The bracelet is constructed on strong memory wire, and springs open and closed, clutching the wrist. The beads flap back and forth providing endless fun and instant drama.
Turbo Fan Collar 1977, copper brass rare early work.
In the early 1990’s there was a fashion craze for crosses. They symbolized a kind of repentance from the excesses of the opulent, over-the-top decade of the 1980’s. Remember this time? I was making crosses like mad, (and had a history of creating this symbol since 1982), and this is one of the beauties I did with luscious deep red garnets. Since sterling silver was priced low back then I really was generous in how much weight I allowed in my pendants…heavy! Chunky silver! I just loved working with it and just listed this gorgeous one of a kind piece on my website if anyone is interested, hangs on a black suede cord, a super classic if there ever was one.
In the early 1990’s there was a fashion craze for crosses. They symbolized a kind of repentance from the excesses of the opulent, over-the-top decade of the 1980’s. Remember this time? I was making crosses like mad, (and had a history of creating this symbol since 1982), and this is one of the beauties I did with luscious deep red garnets. Since sterling silver was priced low back then I really was generous in how much weight I allowed in my pendants…heavy! Chunky silver! I just loved working with it and just listed this gorgeous one of a kind piece on my website if anyone is interested, hangs on a black suede cord, a super classic if there ever was one.
Silver Square Sail Pendant, an iconic and bold piece from my website. On black suede cord. Instant drama, instant chic.
Silver Square Sail Pendant, an iconic and bold piece from my website. On black suede cord. Instant drama, instant chic.
Collection of 15 CARA CRONINGER acrylic bangles! The entire set is a collectors dream so I don’t want to break it up to sell individual ones. Still reigning Queen of colored jewelry!
Collection of 15 CARA CRONINGER acrylic bangles! The entire set is a collectors dream so I don’t want to break it up to sell individual ones. Still reigning Queen of colored jewelry!
The art of KRIS RUHS (one of my all time favorite artists), insanely worked EBONY and hemp string constructions that are from another dimension. Check out Kris RUHS on my website. Celebrating fabulous design in jewelry I share my private collection from ARTWEAR.
The art of KRIS RUHS (one of my all time favorite artists), insanely worked EBONY and hemp string constructions that are from another dimension. Check out Kris RUHS on my website. Celebrating fabulous design in jewelry I share my private collection from ARTWEAR.
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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