A prolific critic and writer, Morrison has authored many books, periodicals, newspapers, and museum catalogues. He is well known in academic circles. In addition to his teaching positions, Morrison has served in leadership positions at several institutions including the Tyler School of Art, San Francisco State University, and the University of Maryland at College Park.

The artist’s work bears the obvious influence of cultural elements that are derived from his Caribbean heritage. Morrison characterizes the conceptualization of his work as “a duality of thought and process,” representing his internal struggle to fuse European and African cultures in his works. He is, however, seemingly is able to compartmentalize and repurpose his childhood memories—as shared by elders in his community. The artist recall or reimagine stories such as tales about the emergence of evil spirits and human tragedy in his childhood community.

Morrison’s work, including his critically acclaimed series of large, black-and-white images, is also filtered through the prism of abstract expressionism. These images are, in part, the artist’s response to struggles in his own community during the civil rights era. In 1970s, Morrison’s abstract expressionist paintings and hard-edged geometric forms, gave way to figural expressions, vibrant hues, and dynamic energy. He also infused African and Caribbean inspired images such as mask dancers, skeletal forms, and voodoo themes in his work.