Biography of Jorj Morin
Born in Cholet on October 4, 1909, as Georges Morin, he adopted his stage name in 1949. After taking correspondence courses in drawing at the ABC school, he settled in Nantes in 1931 as a freelance graphic designer. His advertising work, spanning thirty years, was recognized in 1950 with first prize at the National Exhibition of Food Posters. He actively participated in the Nantes art scene, notably within the Archipel group, founded in 1970. He died in La Possonnière on May 13, 1995.
The graphic and cartographic work
Although recognized as a painter and engraver, Jorj Morin began his career in advertising design, creating numerous posters and decorations for the regional food industry. His graphic work is characterized by a high level of technical precision, inherited from his graphic design training. In his engravings, he primarily uses etching on copper, producing works often enhanced with watercolor. His interest in the structuring of space is also evident in his "microphanies," micro-engravings created in slide format for projection.
From figurative to geographical abstraction
Morin's style evolved towards abstraction around 1950. His paintings initially expressed themselves through structured forms evoking simplified plant elements or landscapes, before moving towards more refined geometric motifs. This approach to space is evident in his monumental creations, notably his wall mosaics such as "Naissance des signes" (Birth of Signs) at the Faculty of Arts in Nantes. These works explore the relationship between the graphic sign and architectural space, demonstrating a sensibility akin to abstract cartography.
Diversity of media and collaborations
Jorj Morin's work is not limited to traditional media; he has created sixty-one tapestries, collaborating with renowned workshops such as Plasse Le Caisne and the workshops of Pierre Daquin. He has also illustrated numerous books, such as La Vendée militaire (1944) or Le sang des Martyrs by Daniel Rops (1947). His commitment to monumental decoration and sculpture, with his mosaic stelae or modular concrete structures, confirms his desire to integrate art into the daily environment and public space.
