Disturbance in the Colony 1973

Desmond Morris made this painting, "Disturbance in the Colony," at an unknown date with an unknown medium. Morris is best known for his sociobiological perspective on humanity. His book, "The Naked Ape," used zoological insights to look at human behavior. Here we see this approach in his painting. The canvas teems with strange, anthropomorphic figures that form a colony which appears to be in disarray. One figure lies prone, as if in protest or perhaps injured, while others stand tall, their forms elongated and surreal. They are reminiscent of both plants and animals. Morris has captured a sense of unrest or upheaval. The term colony has historical significance, often associated with power dynamics and social structures. The artist seems to be reflecting on the fragility of social orders and the potential for disruption within these systems. He notes that, "My paintings are a form of free expression, an escape from the confines of scientific discipline." This work prompts one to reflect on the emotional impact of societal disturbances and the struggle for identity within a group.