Jack Morrow facts for kids

John Cassell (known as Jack) Morrow (born February 26, 1872 – died January 11, 1926) was a talented Irish artist. He was well-known for drawing cartoons about politics, creating illustrations, and painting beautiful landscapes.

Jack Morrow was born in Belfast in 1872. His father, George Morrow, was a painter and decorator. Jack came from a very artistic family; six of his seven brothers were also working artists. Jack Morrow was married and had three children: two sons named Donal and Dermot, and a daughter named Moppie.

Jack Morrow's Artistic Journey

Jack Morrow was very involved in the political discussions of his time. He often shared his art in magazines like The Irish Review and The Republic. He also helped the Ulster Literary Theatre become successful in its early days, working with his brothers Harry, Edwin, and Fred. One writer, Sam Hanna Bell, noted that Jack's acting in a play called The Enthusiast in 1905 was not his strongest talent.

Early Artistic Contributions

In 1904, Jack Morrow sent a special bronze Celtic shield to the World Fair in St. Louis. This shield was later shown in Belfast. It had a Gaelic message that meant "The Shield of Heroes: the Gift of the High King."

The Arts and Crafts Society of Ireland displayed two of Jack's works in Dublin in 1904. These included a copper shield and a silver clock. He also made copper parts for furniture shown by the Irish Decorative Art Association of Belfast. In 1909, Morrow showed his painting An April Morning at an exhibition called Aonach na Nodlag. He exhibited alongside famous Irish artists like Wiliam Leech and William Orpen. The next year, he and his brother Edwin gave several paintings to an exhibition in Belfast.

Cartoons and Public Messages

Jack Morrow's cartoons were very popular. In 1905, his cartoons were shown using a "magic lantern" at events held by Bulmer Hobson's Dungannon Clubs. This was an early way to project images.

His cartoons were a key part of The Republic magazine. One of his most famous cartoons was Catching Recruits, published in December 1906. It shared a message against people joining the army. This cartoon was also sold as a popular postcard. Another cartoon, The Secret of England's Greatness, was published as a postcard in 1907.

Morrow also designed the cover for the Gaelic League's yearbook in 1908. He showed four pieces of art at the Gaelic League's 1906 exhibition. In 1911, he displayed six more works, all of them landscapes, at another Gaelic League show.

Exhibitions and Activism

In 1908, Jack and his brothers held an exhibition at their family business in Dublin. They showed seventy-three artworks, including many of Jack's watercolours. This event might have been the start of their family business.

By 1911, Jack Morrow was a member of the Five Provinces Branch of the Gaelic League. He showed his art at an exhibition in Dublin that year. In 1912, Jack Morrow joined a group called the Wolfe Tone and United Irishmen Memorial Association Committee. This group was a legal way for people to support Irish independence.

Later in 1912, Jack Morrow joined fifteen artists from the Gaelic League for an exhibition. He displayed three paintings: Harvest, September Sunshine, and Between Showers. He also showed his work at the Royal Hibernian Academy annual exhibitions in 1912 and 1916.

In April 1915, Morrow worked with Joseph Plunkett and Thomas MacDonagh's Irish Theatre Company. He designed the stage set for a play called The Walls of Athens.

Challenging Times and Later Work

Jack Morrow started drawing political cartoons again in 1917. In September 1918, he was arrested at his home in Dublin. He was found with materials that questioned the government. His health became poor, and after a week in prison, he was moved to a hospital for treatment. He stayed there for about seven weeks.

Morrow was released in December but arrested again a month later. In January 1919, he faced a military court. He refused to accept the court's authority and did not enter a plea. In February, he was sentenced to seven months in Mountjoy Prison. This was for having government documents without permission.

After his release, Morrow worked with The Craftworkers Ltd. This group in Dublin decorated churches. He and Albert G Power designed mosaic panels. They also helped renovate the altar and walls at St. Catherine's Church in Dublin. For some time, he also taught design at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art.

His Legacy

Jack Morrow passed away in Dublin on January 11, 1926.

You can find examples of his artwork at the National Gallery of Ireland.