fall 2023 studio update
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Hi all,
Welcome to Autumn! I hope you’re all finding time to rest as the time flies by. Things have been busy in the studio as always, and I can’t wait to share some of what I’ve been working on. Hopefully I’ll catch you soon at some upcoming events!
Oñí Ocan continues to crack me open. I am so in love with this project— it’s exactly the medicine I’ve been needing in my life right now, and I hope it can be that medicine for you too. If you haven’t seen the trailer for the film yet, you can view it now:
I performed the piece live at the Berkeley Art Center on Oshun’s feast day, September 8th. It was all the things— beautiful, sacred, and powerful. Many thanks to Elena Gross and Kim Acebo Arteche for their hospitality and kindness in holding the space, and for Adrianne Ramsey for supporting the vision and including the performance in her exhibition, Rabbit Hole.
I am so grateful for my creative team, who helped me bring Oñí Ocan to life: Khalil Anthony Peebles (Creative Director), Martín Perna (Sound Design), SA Smythe (Composer/Sound Design), Haldun Morgan (Production Manager), Jes Gallegos (Director of Photography), and Sam McGinnis (Art Assistant). My endless gratitude to Monica Canilao for co-designing and building the incredible headpiece I wore during the ritual. This is the third piece of ritual wear Monica has crafted for me, and I’m sure many more are to come. And of course, all love for Oshun’s Honey Drippers: Odaymar Cuesta, Alie Jones, J. Andrea Amezcua Porras, Callan Porter-Romero, Aja Lenae, Valencia James, and Monica Canilao.
None of this would have happened without Ashara Ekundayo and the generous support of the Panta Rhea Foundation Flow Fund. Thanks also to the Foundation for Contemporary Arts for the emergency funding and the City of Berkeley Civic Arts fund.
These stunning photos were captured by Carla Hernandez Ramirez.
Ritual honey blessed with the ashé of twenty queer and trans folks, Black femmes, and sex workers is still available for purchase, so please inquire directly at courtneydesireemorris@gmail.com if you’re interested in getting in on the sweetness.
The Oñí Ocan film premiered as part of Bay Area Now 9 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts on October 6th. I’m ecstatic to be included in the iconic triennial alongside so many other talented Northern California artists and was stunned by how it all came together. The show runs through May 5th so there’s plenty of time to catch it.
After the opening party for BAN9, I’m heading to Port Townsend as the featured visiting artist in the Centrum Emerging Artists Residency program. I’ll spend my time in Washington giving a public artist talk, conducting studio visits with the residents, and exploring Puget Sound.
Back in the Bay later this year, I’ll be hard at work on new projects. And early next year, I’ll be sending canvases out to Sarah Lawrence for a show on care and climate change. Stay tuned!
More soon.
C