From College Magazines
Alex Started the same year 1962, that Brother P Coffey became headmaster.
Alex was involved in more than just teaching art at the college. These
are some of the comments in the College Magazine.
School Excursion to Salzburg and Zell-am-See
Leaders: Mr. L. Old Mr. A. Morrison
The highlight of the year for the Geographkal
Association, under Mr. Old, was the school trip to
the cities of Salzburg and Zell-am-See in Austria.
The party (14 boys and two masters) assembled
at Victoria Station on Monday August 24th. to
begin the 23 hour journey by boat and train, via
Dover, Ostend and Munich to Salzburg. We
finally arrived at the Hotel Samhof at 12 o'clock
on the Tuesday.
Wednesday morning saw the proper start of the
holiday with a conducted tour of Salzburg. Every
one remarked on the beauty of the Churches
except Mr. Morrison, who considered the imitation
baroque painting in one of them as an insult to
art and the rest of the party as Philistines for not
agreeing with him. The morning terminated with
a trip by funicular railway to the ancient fortress
which commanded an excellent view of the River
Sal which runs through the city.
Everyone enjoyed the holiday immensely and I
would like to thank Mr. Old and Mr. Morrison on
behalf of all the boys for making it so enjoyable.
We hope to repeat this or a similar trip next
summer and Mr. Morrison would like to take a
party of about 30 boys from the senior school anyone
interested? I advise people to put their
names down fairly soon for already everyone from
last year has again re-enlisted. If the holiday is
half as good as last year's then it will be well
worth it.
Dramatic Society Notes, 1965
The ninth production of the Dramatic Society was Robert Bolt's "A Man for all Seasons".
Presented in January it told the story of Sir Thomas More's rise to power, his quarrel with the
King (played by Stephen Wardle) and his eventual execution at the hands of the ambitious
Thomas Cromwell (Bryn Banks). This was the Society's first attempt at a modern play, and was
an unqualified success. The presentation would not have been possible without the cheerful assistance of Mr. Morrison,
Mr. Ley and their willing helpers.
Just after he moved on in his career his daughter Jane remembers him making
a mosaic of Mary and Jesus to go on a pillar in the entrance of I think -
A Catholic nursing home in Liverpool. I'm not sure where though.
There was a piece in the Liverpool Echo about it around 1968! ---Maybe someone knows where this is?
Here is another bit of history! We lived in Wallasey when dad was teaching
at St Edwards.
He entered an art competition at Earlston Library in Wallasey.
I found the painting which is in storage at the Williamson Art Gallery,
Birkenhead. It can be viewed via this link.
A tribute to Alex from his friend is as follows:
Al Morrison 1936 - 2003
Al Morrison was born in Liverpool. He trained as a painter and has taught at
all levels first as an art specialist.
In 1980 he wrote Photo Finish, subsequently translated into seven languages.
From then until 1996 he was consultant and photographer for Which? magazine.
After a short period in educational television (1976-8) he became senior
lecturer in photography, film and television at the University of
Westminster
where he specialised in animation and electronic imagery. He took early
retirement in 1998 to concentrate on developing his own activities as an
artist and experimental video maker.
He worked full time as a freelance artist and animator using electronic
imagery until his untimely death in November 2003.
In 1999 he produced Dancing Spirals, a video of art collaboration between
Motionhouse Dance Group and Jan Truman, a local sculptor.
In 2000 the Nunney Jazz Café hosted his exhibition of surrealist drawings
and paintings. In 2002 he worked as the Mendip area representative
for Somerset Art Week open studios project. Al was a member of the British
Association of Mosaic Makers.
Al was extremely generous with his time, energy and creativity. Whoever he
worked with he supported and encouraged.
As an artist in his own right he was prolific, working in many fields from
painting to video. Whether creating video art,
leading workshops or producing publicity material his approach was always
original, never predictable and he tackled everything with a real
enthusiasm.
We miss his friendship, his quiet artistry and his ability to see through
to the heart of things.
Barry
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