Cole Morgan
Current Exhibition | Recent paintings on view May 2 - 31 in St. Helena
Cole Morgan’s paintings combine meticulous, focused detail with a sense of deep, open-ended mystery. Morgan’s shapes cast shadows, their rounded forms seeming to rise out of the painting: “A false thing pretending to be a real thing,” as Morgan has noted. His works hover between logic and imagination: gridlines dissolve into spontaneous drips; text appears almost legible, but vanishes behind ghostly overlays.
"It's a hard thing to do and be good at. Painting. Not just paint on a canvas, but something that I believe in and stand behind and ask acknowledgment for.... It has just taken a lot of years to get good at it, like it is with anything you set your mind to. I suppose that is my reward and my raison d' etre to go back into the studio and start a new work tomorrow without it feeling like a job or the studio as a prison. Being an artist is a lonely vocation. Nothing comes easy, but I love it. I can do a hundred things but this is what I do best." - Cole Morgan
Biography
Resembling enigmatic diagrams, charts, and games, yet situated just within the realm of abstraction, Cole Morgan’s paintings combine meticulous, focused detail with a sense of deep, open-ended mystery. Originally trained as a draftsman, Morgan combines his masterful skill in realistic drawing with an appreciation for the material joys of paint and color. Saturated pigments—cobalt blue, bright crimson, lime green—seem especially brilliant against his painting’s light-infused backgrounds.
Morgan’s shapes cast shadows, their rounded forms seeming to rise out of the painting: “A false thing pretending to be a real thing,” as Morgan has noted. His works hover between logic and imagination: gridlines dissolve into spontaneous drips; text appears almost legible, but vanishes behind ghostly overlays. Yet despite the apparent intervention of random events, each painting constitutes an exquisitely wrought pattern. “Every square millimeter of canvas is controlled,” Morgan has said. “There are no ‘accidents’ in my compositions.” Through his labor-intensive process of layering and re-layering, modeling and drawing, Morgan sets up compelling tensions between form and formlessness, abstraction and representation.
Morgan’s work has been exhibited internationally at the CIGE, Beijing; the Korea International Art Fair; Galerie Mia Joosten, Amsterdam, and Museum Laerken Nykobing Falster, Denmark, among many others.
Born
1950 New York, USA.
Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions
BVULGARI, Rome, Italy
B.D.B.O Advertising, New York, USA
Sterling Commerce, USA, The Netherlands
Exxon Mobil, Dallas, Texas, USA
Quo quo, Hong Kong, China
Landconcepts, Hong Kong, China
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Hong Kong, China
The Honorable Michael Klosson, US Ambassador, Hong Kong, China
Far Eastern Textile Ltd., Taiwan
Westin Hotels & Resorts, Awaji Island, Japan
Hallmark Cards, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Hilton Hotel, Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Giorgetti Benelux BV, The Hague, The Netherlands
FMO, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. Assen, The Netherlands
B.J.G. Investments, The Hague, The Netherlands
Van Heesewijk Bouw BV, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
3W Vastgoed, The Netherlands, Belgium
Barents & Krans, The Hague, The Netherlands and Brussels, Belgium
White Lion Advertising Gmbh, Zurich, Switzerland
Credit Mutuel, Paris, France
Foundation of the Trocadero, Paris, France
Verwaltungs- und Privat-Bank AG, Vaduz, Liechtenstein
National Glass Museum, Leerdam, The Netherlands
Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen, Leiden, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
FinEdge International group, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
QPark International, Maastricht, The Netherlands
ARCADIS, Arnhem, The Netherlands
Museu Raset in Cervià de Ter, Spain
Dettmeyer & Partners, The Hague, The Netherlands and Pontaix, France
Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions
2025 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA
2022 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2020 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
2016 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Context Miami, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Miami, FL.
Context NY, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, New York, NY.
Art Market SF, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2015 Context Miami, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Miami, FL.
Art Silicon Valley, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Mateo, CA.
Art Market SF, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2014 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2012 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
2011 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
2010 SF Art Fair, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2009 LA Art Show, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Los Angelos, CA.
Art Miami, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Miami, FL.
2008 Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
Red Dot Art Fair, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Miami, FL.
2007 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Korea International Art Fair, CIGE, Beijing, China.
2006 TEFAF Maastricht, Galerie Mi a Joosten, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Art Milan, Milan, Italy.
Kashya Hildebrand, Zurich, Switzerland.
Museum Laerken, Nykobing Falster, Denmark.
Oisterwijk Sculpture, Etienne & Van Loon Contemporary
Fine Art, Oisterwijk, Netherlands.
Art Cologne, Galerie Jorg Hasenbach, Antwerp, Belgium.
2005 TEFAF Maastricht, Galerie Mia Joosten, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Art Fair Den Bosch, Galerie Husstege, Den Bosch, Netherlands.
KUNST RAI, Galerie Contempo, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Oisterwijk Sculpture, Etienne & Van Loon Contemporary
Fine Art, Oisterwijk, Netherlands.
Art Cologne, Galerie Jorg Hasenbach, Antwerp, Belgium.
Kashya Hildebrand, Zurich, Switzerland.
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada.
Gallery Jones, Vancouver, Canada.
2004 SF International Art Exposition, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Art Rotterdam, Galerie Contempo, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
TEFAF Maastricht, Galeria Mia Joosten, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
National Glass Museum Ledeerman, Netherlands.
PAN Amsterdam, Galerie Hüsstege, Den Bosch, Netherlands.
Galerie Laerkin, Nykobing Falster, Denmark.
Galerie Protee, Paris, France.
Press
PRESS
Selected Artworks
Born
1950 New York, USA.
Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions
BVULGARI, Rome, Italy
B.D.B.O Advertising, New York, USA
Sterling Commerce, USA, The Netherlands
Exxon Mobil, Dallas, Texas, USA
Quo quo, Hong Kong, China
Landconcepts, Hong Kong, China
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Hong Kong, China
The Honorable Michael Klosson, US Ambassador, Hong Kong, China
Far Eastern Textile Ltd., Taiwan
Westin Hotels & Resorts, Awaji Island, Japan
Hallmark Cards, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Hilton Hotel, Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Giorgetti Benelux BV, The Hague, The Netherlands
FMO, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. Assen, The Netherlands
B.J.G. Investments, The Hague, The Netherlands
Van Heesewijk Bouw BV, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
3W Vastgoed, The Netherlands, Belgium
Barents & Krans, The Hague, The Netherlands and Brussels, Belgium
White Lion Advertising Gmbh, Zurich, Switzerland
Credit Mutuel, Paris, France
Foundation of the Trocadero, Paris, France
Verwaltungs- und Privat-Bank AG, Vaduz, Liechtenstein
National Glass Museum, Leerdam, The Netherlands
Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen, Leiden, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
FinEdge International group, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
QPark International, Maastricht, The Netherlands
ARCADIS, Arnhem, The Netherlands
Museu Raset in Cervià de Ter, Spain
Dettmeyer & Partners, The Hague, The Netherlands and Pontaix, France
Selected Solo and Group Exhibitions
2025 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA
2022 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2020 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
2016 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Context Miami, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Miami, FL.
Context NY, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, New York, NY.
Art Market SF, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2015 Context Miami, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Miami, FL.
Art Silicon Valley, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Mateo, CA.
Art Market SF, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2014 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2012 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St. Helena, CA.
2011 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
2010 SF Art Fair, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
2009 LA Art Show, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Los Angelos, CA.
Art Miami, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Miami, FL.
2008 Campton Gallery, New York, NY.
Red Dot Art Fair, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, Miami, FL.
2007 Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Korea International Art Fair, CIGE, Beijing, China.
2006 TEFAF Maastricht, Galerie Mi a Joosten, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Art Milan, Milan, Italy.
Kashya Hildebrand, Zurich, Switzerland.
Museum Laerken, Nykobing Falster, Denmark.
Oisterwijk Sculpture, Etienne & Van Loon Contemporary
Fine Art, Oisterwijk, Netherlands.
Art Cologne, Galerie Jorg Hasenbach, Antwerp, Belgium.
2005 TEFAF Maastricht, Galerie Mia Joosten, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Art Fair Den Bosch, Galerie Husstege, Den Bosch, Netherlands.
KUNST RAI, Galerie Contempo, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Oisterwijk Sculpture, Etienne & Van Loon Contemporary
Fine Art, Oisterwijk, Netherlands.
Art Cologne, Galerie Jorg Hasenbach, Antwerp, Belgium.
Kashya Hildebrand, Zurich, Switzerland.
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada.
Gallery Jones, Vancouver, Canada.
2004 SF International Art Exposition, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
Art Rotterdam, Galerie Contempo, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
TEFAF Maastricht, Galeria Mia Joosten, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
National Glass Museum Ledeerman, Netherlands.
PAN Amsterdam, Galerie Hüsstege, Den Bosch, Netherlands.
Galerie Laerkin, Nykobing Falster, Denmark.
Galerie Protee, Paris, France.
Resembling enigmatic diagrams, charts, and games, yet situated just within the realm of abstraction, Cole Morgan’s paintings combine meticulous, focused detail with a sense of deep, open-ended mystery. Originally trained as a draftsman, Morgan combines his masterful skill in realistic drawing with an appreciation for the material joys of paint and color. Saturated pigments—cobalt blue, bright crimson, lime green—seem especially brilliant against his painting’s light-infused backgrounds.
Morgan’s shapes cast shadows, their rounded forms seeming to rise out of the painting: “A false thing pretending to be a real thing,” as Morgan has noted. His works hover between logic and imagination: gridlines dissolve into spontaneous drips; text appears almost legible, but vanishes behind ghostly overlays. Yet despite the apparent intervention of random events, each painting constitutes an exquisitely wrought pattern. “Every square millimeter of canvas is controlled,” Morgan has said. “There are no ‘accidents’ in my compositions.” Through his labor-intensive process of layering and re-layering, modeling and drawing, Morgan sets up compelling tensions between form and formlessness, abstraction and representation.
Morgan’s work has been exhibited internationally at the CIGE, Beijing; the Korea International Art Fair; Galerie Mia Joosten, Amsterdam, and Museum Laerken Nykobing Falster, Denmark, among many others.
Biography
Press
Current Exhibition | Recent paintings on view May 2 - 31 in St. Helena
Cole Morgan’s paintings combine meticulous, focused detail with a sense of deep, open-ended mystery. Morgan’s shapes cast shadows, their rounded forms seeming to rise out of the painting: “A false thing pretending to be a real thing,” as Morgan has noted. His works hover between logic and imagination: gridlines dissolve into spontaneous drips; text appears almost legible, but vanishes behind ghostly overlays.
"It's a hard thing to do and be good at. Painting. Not just paint on a canvas, but something that I believe in and stand behind and ask acknowledgment for.... It has just taken a lot of years to get good at it, like it is with anything you set your mind to. I suppose that is my reward and my raison d' etre to go back into the studio and start a new work tomorrow without it feeling like a job or the studio as a prison. Being an artist is a lonely vocation. Nothing comes easy, but I love it. I can do a hundred things but this is what I do best." - Cole Morgan
Cole Morgan
"Although I abandoned the hyper-realist drawings on paper, I did take one very important element of that period with me to the non-figurative period. The use of shadow. The shadow is meant to give a credible three-dimensionality to the otherwise abstract forms. Makes them whimsical from a distance and adds just a little intrigue. A false thing pretending to be a real thing. And I'm going to let you discover that."
Current Exhibition | Recent paintings on view May 2 - 31 in St. Helena
Cole Morgan’s paintings combine meticulous, focused detail with a sense of deep, open-ended mystery. Morgan’s shapes cast shadows, their rounded forms seeming to rise out of the painting: “A false thing pretending to be a real thing,” as Morgan has noted. His works hover between logic and imagination: gridlines dissolve into spontaneous drips; text appears almost legible, but vanishes behind ghostly overlays.
"It's a hard thing to do and be good at. Painting. Not just paint on a canvas, but something that I believe in and stand behind and ask acknowledgment for.... It has just taken a lot of years to get good at it, like it is with anything you set your mind to. I suppose that is my reward and my raison d' etre to go back into the studio and start a new work tomorrow without it feeling like a job or the studio as a prison. Being an artist is a lonely vocation. Nothing comes easy, but I love it. I can do a hundred things but this is what I do best." - Cole Morgan