Peter Morales

Born: Guatemala City, Guatemala, 1961 Currently resides: St. Paul, MN Education • MA, 1993, University of Minnesota, MN • BA, 1986, Ripon College, Ripon, WI Selected Exhibitions • Los Pequenos Misterios, 2001 A Space, Minneapolis, MN, 2013 • Saints and Talismans, GLC Gallery, Hamline University, MN, 2012 (solo) • El Milagro, Intermedia Arts, Minneapolis, MN, 2011 Selected Collections • Abbott and Children’s Hospital, Minneapolis, MN • St. Paul College, St. Paul, MN • City of Minneapolis, MN Selected Awards • Cultural Community Partnership Grant, Minnesota State Arts Board, 2008 • FSP/Jerome Fellowship, Franconia Sculpture Park, 2007 Morales was born in Guatemala and grew up in Tikal, a Classic Maya city. He learned to walk under majestic Ceiba trees and eventually learned to climb the mountainous Maya temples of the ancient city uncovered from the rainforest. In middle school, Morales came to live in a much different environment; the Northern United States. He now has an undergraduate degree in biology, a graduate degree in Hispanic literature and linguistics, and many years of practicing as a visual artist. Before opening his own studio, he worked as an assistant to other sculptors for many years. His experience and understanding of art, history, and the importance of storytelling are rooted in these experiences. Morales’ sculptural work often consists of zoomorphic forms suggestive of pre-modern sculpture, Mickey Mouse, and science fiction robots. He aims to challenge, expand, and share his understanding of cultural identity. (Franconia.org) Watch him work and listen to an interview. After having done about half a dozen public art pieces in the greater Twin Cities area in MN he says "It's great because I can share my work with the community. I like the idea that I can make things that become sort of iconic of a neighborhood." (MN Original)