Before attending college, Chris moved to New York City where she studied classical ballet with The Joffrey. At that time, her vision of success was not in becoming a “prima ballerina,” but rather in attaining a level of competence in dance such that the lines created in dance were consistent with “living sculpture.” It was the beauty of the line that was important. After accomplishing her technical and performance goals in dance, Chris was able to move forward with her formal education. She subsequently earned her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Medical Degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine, and was in private practice as an Obstetrician/Gynecologist for 14 years. A surgical injury to her dominant right hand ended her career as a physician, but allowed time for self-reflection. It was during this time that her interest in the arts was rekindled. Although she mourned the loss of established relationships formed with patients, she focused on returning to a university system to be guided through a new path in Fine Arts. Ultimately, the decision to work toward a Fine Arts degree was a healing one that allowed Chris to refocus her energies in a creative way with all of the excitement and anticipation of a new career. The university environment encouraged Chris to push beyond self-imposed limits, and allowed her to “grow into” painting and sculpture. Ultimately, she discovered that each concentration explored could contribute in some specific way to her artwork. Her experiences in medicine and classical ballet uniquely provided Chris with familiarity with and reverence for the female form pulled her toward the figurative realm. In the end, Chris feels that art is not only an expression of who we are, but of the evolution of who we are becoming.
Chris Elizabeth Morgan
East Carolina University
Sculpture Department
January 2012