Harry’s Game
By Mark Walter
I must be honest, I didn’t know Harry McMorrow’s work until I saw a group of people overspilling from the Big Yin gallery in London Road, St Leonards late last year. I was suddenly curious and headed over, and even though it was a squeeze to get into the gallery, I managed to get inside and, although it was difficult to see the walls, what I did see of the tapestries was a delight. I returned a few days later to have a proper look at the exhibition titled, Come as You Are. I was impressed by the detail of the tufted tapestries centred around the themes of 90’s pop culture. The exuberant brightly coloured rugs feature Harry’s childhood memories, around Nirvana, Beavis and Butthead, The Simpsons, Furbies, and Lamborghini cars – the Supercar in the Nineties. The series is a whole new body of work for what was Harry’s debut solo show.
“I didn’t know I was an artist,” Harry explained in our recent interview. “I decided to do a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art at Hastings College – that was later accredited by the University of Brighton. Before I did my degree, and while I was working in hospitality, a good friend of mine and his partner said they could tell I was an artist before I even knew myself! I finished my three-year course in 2021 and achieved a first-class honours degree. I have been creating art ever since and trying to get my stuff into the world!” Harry is currently studying for a Post-graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and hopes to be qualified as a teacher by this summer.
Harry says, “I was born in London but spent my youth in California, USA. Once into my adult years, I moved back to England. In 2018 I moved to St Leonards and next year will be my fifth year. I cannot explain the impact living here has had on my life. I am completely utterly wholeheartedly in love with St Leonards on Sea!” They add, “I saw that the Big Yin was opening, and I was immediately interested in it because it was a diverse gallery looking to obtain artists in a very inclusive way. I went in one day and chatted with Euan Roberts, the co-owner of the gallery. I immediately felt connected to his way of thinking and his way of curating. I was drawn to him as a person, his vibe, his knowledge, and I suppose he has sort of become a mentor, friend, cheerleader and supporter of me as an emerging artist!”
“I am working on a couple of commissions in return for favours from other creatives (like video makers, printmakers etc). I think it is nice for creatives to exchange work rather than payment, especially in these hard times with the financial crisis we are in. I am just hoping to be able to get enough people to see the work so that I can have another show somewhere!”
The ultimate dream, Harry says, “is to show work internationally, especially in places like Japan or New York; these are BIG DREAMS, but I will keep working hard! I just feel so incredibly humbled and grateful to of been able to have a solo show, it was a really big accomplishment for me, and I would just love to get another show somewhere else like London.”
Watch out for big things from Harry in the art world in the coming years!
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