ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Ree Morton's Posthumous Survey at ICA Los Angeles Examines Brief Career Cut Short

exhibition · 2026-04-20

From February 16 to June 14, 2020, the Institute of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles showcases 'The Plant That Heals May Also Poison,' a retrospective dedicated to the art of Ree Morton. Morton, who passed away at the age of forty in 1977, created art over a span of approximately six years, encompassing sculpture, drawing, and installation. This exhibition, which first appeared at ICA Philadelphia in 2019, is curated by Kate Kraczon and Jamillah James. Notable pieces include For Kate (1976) and Don't worry, I'll only read you the good parts (1975). Morton's choice of materials, such as Celastic, and her thematic focus reflect her journey as a woman and a mother, with her death mentioned only on page 64 of the catalogue.

Key facts

  • Ree Morton died in 1977 at age forty
  • The exhibition runs from February 16 to June 14, 2020 at ICA Los Angeles
  • The survey originated at ICA Philadelphia in 2019
  • Morton's career spanned only about six years
  • Her trademark material was Celastic, a malleable plastic
  • Early works include Wood Drawings from 1971
  • She attended evening drawing classes in Jacksonville, Florida in the 1960s
  • The exhibition features two vitrines of photographs and print ephemera

Entities

Artists

  • Ree Morton
  • Agnes Martin
  • Jonathan Griffin
  • Kate Kraczon
  • Jamillah James

Institutions

  • Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
  • Institute of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia
  • ArtReview

Locations

  • Los Angeles
  • United States
  • Philadelphia
  • Jacksonville
  • Florida
  • Newfoundland
  • Canada
  • New York City

Sources