Grace Morley
Encyclopedia
Dr. Grace Louise McCann Morley (1900–1985) was a museologist of global influence. She was the founder of San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
, and its Director for 23 years starting in 1934. Time Magazine carried an article in her twentieth year with the museum, and then another article on her retirement. In an interview with Thomas Tibbs, she is credited with being a major force in encouraging young American
artists.
During these years, she was active in the art world in the US. She was Second Vice-President, American Federation of Arts, 1939; Counsellor for Arts at the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, 1941; a Member of the Committee of the Fine Arts Buildings of the International Exposition in San Francisco and Director of Pacific House 1940, a Member of the Committee of Experts on the Arts, State Department, 1940-1945. Between 1946-1949, she took leave from San Francisco Museum of Art, and became Consultant for Museums at UNESCO
Preparatory Commission, and then as the Head of its Museums Division.
She authored a number articles on Contemporary Art, and on Latin American Civilizations.
She moved to India
in 1960, and remained there until her death in 1985. She was the Founder Director of the National Museum in New Delhi
and was awarded the Padma Bhushan
by the Indian government
.
Her career included a stint as Curator of Cincinnati Museum of Art, Ohio, from 1930. She was active in the International Council of Museums
(ICOM), and was the Head of the ICOM Regional Agency for South and South-East Asia from 1967 to 1978.
Dr Morley had a D.Litt. doctoral degree from Paris France
in art and literature (1926), an honorary degree from Mills College (1937), and an honorary "Doctor of Humane Letters" degree from Smith in 1957.
Research Fellowships in her honor are awarded by ICOM
India Trust each year. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has established the Grace McCann Morley Legacy Society for donors who provide for the museum in their estate plans. In India, the National Museum Institute holds an annual Dr Grace Morley Memorial Seminar http://www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/nmi/arule.htm.
. She formed some passionate friendships with women during this time.
For the last twenty years, she shared an apartment with a retired Indian Air Force
officer and his wife, who became her Indian family, and it was there she died at the age of 84. They believe she had converted to Buddhism
at some point in time. Dr Morley's body was cremated in the Indian tradition, and her ashes immersed in a holy river.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a modern art museum located in San Francisco, California. A nonprofit organization, SFMOMA holds an internationally recognized collection of modern and contemporary art and was the first museum on the West Coast devoted solely to 20th century art...
, and its Director for 23 years starting in 1934. Time Magazine carried an article in her twentieth year with the museum, and then another article on her retirement. In an interview with Thomas Tibbs, she is credited with being a major force in encouraging young American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
artists.
During these years, she was active in the art world in the US. She was Second Vice-President, American Federation of Arts, 1939; Counsellor for Arts at the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs, 1941; a Member of the Committee of the Fine Arts Buildings of the International Exposition in San Francisco and Director of Pacific House 1940, a Member of the Committee of Experts on the Arts, State Department, 1940-1945. Between 1946-1949, she took leave from San Francisco Museum of Art, and became Consultant for Museums at UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
Preparatory Commission, and then as the Head of its Museums Division.
She authored a number articles on Contemporary Art, and on Latin American Civilizations.
She moved to India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in 1960, and remained there until her death in 1985. She was the Founder Director of the National Museum in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
and was awarded the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
by the Indian government
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
.
Her career included a stint as Curator of Cincinnati Museum of Art, Ohio, from 1930. She was active in the International Council of Museums
International Council of Museums
The International Council of Museums is an international organization of museums and museum professionals that is committed to the conservation, continuation and communication to society of the world's natural and cultural heritage, present and future, tangible and intangible.- Overview :Created...
(ICOM), and was the Head of the ICOM Regional Agency for South and South-East Asia from 1967 to 1978.
Dr Morley had a D.Litt. doctoral degree from Paris France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in art and literature (1926), an honorary degree from Mills College (1937), and an honorary "Doctor of Humane Letters" degree from Smith in 1957.
Research Fellowships in her honor are awarded by ICOM
International Council of Museums
The International Council of Museums is an international organization of museums and museum professionals that is committed to the conservation, continuation and communication to society of the world's natural and cultural heritage, present and future, tangible and intangible.- Overview :Created...
India Trust each year. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art has established the Grace McCann Morley Legacy Society for donors who provide for the museum in their estate plans. In India, the National Museum Institute holds an annual Dr Grace Morley Memorial Seminar http://www.nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/nmi/arule.htm.
Personal life
Dr Morley started her career in Cincinnati in 1930, but is best remembered for her years in San Francisco and her second career in IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. She formed some passionate friendships with women during this time.
For the last twenty years, she shared an apartment with a retired Indian Air Force
Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian armed forces. Its primary responsibility is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during a conflict...
officer and his wife, who became her Indian family, and it was there she died at the age of 84. They believe she had converted to Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
at some point in time. Dr Morley's body was cremated in the Indian tradition, and her ashes immersed in a holy river.
Selected bibliography
- Indian Sculpture by Grace Morley, Roli Books.
- Karl Morris; Retrospective by Grace L. McCann Morley, American Federation of Arts. 1960.
External links
- Interview with Porter Mc Cray Lengthy interview with Dr Grace Morley in 1982.
- Interview by Kara Kirk about Grace Morley — on Modern Art Notes, 2006.
- Kristy Phillips on Grace Morley's Indian career — on Modern Art Notes, 2006.
- From Pollack to Parvati: Grace McCann Morley and the National Museum of India (abstract of a paper by Kristy Phillips, University of Minnesota, given at a conference)
- Dr Priyatosh Banerjee on Dr Grace Morley at India's National Museum
- Oral history project order form, Grace L. McCann Morley (1900-1985) Art, Artists, Museums, and the San Francisco Museum of Art, 1960, 246 pp.