Elemore Morgan, Jr. was an influential figure in the landscape of Southern art, widely celebrated for his vivid depictions of South Louisiana's prairies, rice fields, and shifting skies. As a master of en plein air painting, an accomplished photographer, and a dedicated educator, his career left an indelible mark on the cultural heritage and artistic community of Louisiana.
Born on August 6, 1931, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Morgan was raised on his grandfather’s farm, developing a deep affinity for nature. His early environment, which later transformed into an urban center housing major biomedical and medical institutions, provided a stark contrast that heightened his appreciation for undisturbed vistas. His primary artistic inspiration came from his father, Elemore Morgan, Sr., a well-known photographer who worked closely with architect A. Hays Town. Morgan pursued his formal art education at Louisiana State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts in 1952. Following graduation, he served two years as a supply officer for a fighter squadron in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He subsequently utilized the GI Bill to study in England, completing a Certificate in Fine Arts from the Ruskin School of Fine Arts at the University of Oxford in 1957.
Upon returning to Louisiana, Morgan dedicated decades to both higher education and public artistic collaborations. In 1965, he joined the faculty at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), teaching as a Professor of Visual Arts until his retirement in 1998, after which he continued to mentor students and serve on committees. Beyond the classroom, his work intersected with architecture. Early in his career, he partnered with his lifelong friend, architect Neil Nehrbass, designing a mosaic arch for the Chancery Building of the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette in 1964 and consulting on precast concrete designs and colors for the Lafayette Civic Center.
Morgan's distinctive artistic style was defined by his dedication to painting directly outdoors, allowing him to study the unique, moist light of South Louisiana that caused colors to shimmer and radiate. His landscapes focused heavily on the relationship between earth and sky, capturing vast horizons and dramatic cloud formations. His signature works were executed with acrylic paint layered onto oddly shaped, custom-cut Masonite panels. By abandoning traditional rectangular frames, he allowed his artwork to interact dynamically with the architectural spaces they inhabited.
In addition to painting, Morgan was a prolific photographer who deeply appreciated Cajun and Creole culture. Alongside folklorist Dr. Barry Ancelet, he spent ten years documenting local musicians, resulting in the seminal 1984 reference book The Makers of Cajun Music (later revised as Cajun and Creole Music Makers). This close relationship with the musical community also extended to visual collaborations; his paintings were selected to grace four album and CD covers for the renowned band BeauSoleil, including Bayou Boogie and Live in Louisiana.
Morgan passed away on May 18, 2008, in Baltimore, Maryland, due to complications from heart surgery, leaving behind a celebrated legacy. Over his lifetime, his contributions were widely recognized across the region. He received the Distinguished Artist Award from the Delgado Society of the New Orleans Museum of Art in 2000, and the James William Rivers Prize in Louisiana Studies in 2001, which he shared co-reciprocally with his late father. His excellence in both studio practice and academia was further honored with the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters and Sculptors Grant in 2006, the USL Foundation Distinguished Professor Award in 1985, and the Amoco Foundation Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award in 1984. Today, his artworks are preserved in prominent public collections, including the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Morris Museum of Art, and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, with long-standing representation by the Arthur Roger Gallery.