Mort began making sculptures in 1993. His inspiration came from collecting and studying tribal art and antiquities. As well, the Paleolithic roots of this art became much clearer to him as the continuum of forms began to reveal itself.
Mort’s particular interests became centered in the masking traditions of the Himalayas. In the early 1990s he began collecting masks from this area, when great masterpieces were still available. Living with such pieces was very revealing, and led Mort from painting to making sculpture. His first pieces were large site specific outdoor pieces, mostly in Mendocino County, California, and in British Columbia.
Many of the ancient broken and discarded objects that Mort had been collecting as well became incorporated into his work. He tries to preserve original surfaces and patinas that show the passage of time and use as much as possible.
For several years Mort sold his pieces privately, mostly to tribal and modern art dealers, fellow collectors, and other artists.
Starting in 1996 Mort began doing gallery shows as well as selling to the general public through his studio.
Private Collections
Alex Arthur, Publisher, Tribal Magazine, Brussels, Belgium
Tuyet Nguyet, Publisher, Arts of Asia magazine, Hong Kong
Thomas Murray Collection (dealer and collector) Mill Valley, California, United States
Michael and Joanne Leach Collection, San Anselmo, California, United States
Jim Murray Collection, Mill Valley, California, United States.
Lawrence Hultberg Collection, (collector) New York City, United States
Nora Stratton collection, Sausalito, California, United States
Colonel George Hunter White, Stinson Beach, California, United States
Al Farrow Collection (sculptor) San Rafael, California, United States
Rick Flaster/Alice Mead Collection, Mill valley, California, United States
Robert Sund, (choreographer), Mill Valley, California, United States
Ralph and Leslie Patterson Collection, Mill Valley, California, United States
Kristi Eurich collection, San Rafael, California, United States
Francis Thomas Collection, San Francisco, California, United States
Georgia Sales Collection, Belvedere, California, United States
Heather Mc Farlin Collection, Bolinas California, Texas, United States
Gerald Pearlman Collection, Muir Beach, United States
Collection of "The Ranch", Mendocino, California, United States (site specific pieces)
Tony Kitz Collection, San Francisco, California, United States
Zena Kruzick Collection, Richmond, California, United States
Carol Lowery Collection, Greenbrae, California, United States
Gretchen Shiris collection, Tampa, Florida, United States
George and Patricia Hatch collection, White Rock, B.C, Canada
Chenery House Collection, San Francisco, California, United States
Kit Coyle Collection, Mill Valley, California, United States
Sophie Golub Collection, San Rafael, California, United States
And others
Exhibitions
Masks Then and Now: Inspiration and Interpretation San Francisco Tribal &Textile Show 2014
Lawrence Hultberg Fine Arts, Hayes St. San Francisco, California, United States, 1996, 19997, 19998, 1999 (2 one man shows, 3 collective shows, and permanent collection)
Tony Kitz Gallery, Clay st, San Francisco, California, United States, 1999/2005
Shirley Day Gallery, London, England, 1997/2001
Marin Civic Center, Annual Show, Marin Arts Council,
California, United States, 2005, 2006 , 2007,2008, 2009
Art at the Lagoon, San Rafael, California, United States, 2002,
Marin Arts Council Annual Studio Show, Corte Madera, California, United States, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Sausalito invitational Shows, Sausalito, California, United States, 2005, 2006, 2007
Commonweal Gallery, Bolinas, California, United States, 2006 (one man show)
Intuit Museum, Chicago, United States, 2008, outsider and self taught art...show titled "Sticks"
New York outsider art shows, New York City, United States
Gallery 333, Sausalito, California, United States
I.C.B. invitationals; I.C.B Building,Sausalito, California, United States, (Building is full of artists and shows are heavily attended) 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Volakis Gallery, Yountville, California, United States, 2006, 2007, 2008,
Cavin Morris Gallery, New York City, United States
Joel Cooner Gallery, Dallas, Texas, United States
Tony Aninos Art; Brussels, Belgium, Sausalito, California, United States
Outsider Art Shows, Chicago, United States