In Living Color

Last year, Morgan transformed her high-goal polo photographs into beautiful Italian-made silk scarves, which she sells on her website katerinamorgan.shop. After the global pandemic hit, she added fashionable polo face masks. But she wanted to do more.

Polo photographer Katrina Morgan recently launched an online gallery, katerinamorgan.art, dedicated to modern polo and equestrian art.
Last year, Morgan transformed her high-goal polo photographs into beautiful Italian-made silk scarves, which she sells on her website katerinamorgan.shop. After the global pandemic hit, she added fashionable polo face masks. But she wanted to do more.

Morgan began her career working for Brazilian polo player Jose Eduardo Kalil and his Sao Jose polo team. That led to her photographing the best polo tournaments at the most important clubs in Argentina over 10 years ago. She went on to cover Canadian polo player Frederick Mannix and his Alegria team in the Argentine Triple Crown.

“It was an unforgettable time,” she said. “Most recently, I have had the honor of working for the Royal Brunei Polo Team. I am very grateful to all of my clients and friends. [The opportunities] completely changed my life and got me involved in this fantastic polo world.”
Morgan has never played polo, but learned polo photography can be just as addictive.

“Polo is a very fast and surprising sport. It requires fast reactions. I observe a lot of horse and player movements,” she explained. “Even after years of experience and thousands of hours passed on the polo fields, I still get surprised with the action captured by my photos and incredible moments that happen in the match. It is one of the reasons why I love this amazing sport.”

Morgan also always loved art and enjoyed visiting the best museums in places such as New York City, London, Paris and Madrid. These visits inspired her to study different themes with art. Over the last decade she has taken drawing classes and completed various other art-related courses. Most recently, she completed, with distinction, an Art Business Certificate through Christie’s London.

The online gallery allowed her to combine her two loves. Morgan currently represents 20 international artists, including the Russian-born Alexey Klimenko, who painted our cover art. Klimenko began a career in IT and telecommunications before devoting his life to fine art. He uses a special oil technique, imitating a slightly coarse and worn surface on canvas. After moving to France, his artwork has been exhibited several times.

“Horses have always been great companions to man. Throughout history, these noble and elegant animals highlighted their owner’s class status and power,” Morgan explained. “I want to keep this tradition by offering interior horse images, but in a contemporary style. Clients can appreciate equestrian masterpieces from a new generation of artists.”

Morgan is always looking for new talent, but only considers works from full-time equestrian artists who have their own unique styles. They also have to have an education in art and their works have to have been exhibited in the past.

Her own work is not included in the gallery, however she allows some of the artists she represents to use her polo photos as inspiration for their art.

Her experience with photography has also been useful for showcasing each artist’s work.

“It is very important to have great images. When purchasing art online, buyers can’t appreciate the artwork the same way they do seeing it in person. The images have to present the artwork with as much detail as possible,” she explained.

Her online gallery now includes over 200 works of art, valued at about $1 million. The artists also work with commission orders, and have the capacity to create drawings and paintings as well as exclusive projects, such as monumental bronze sculptures and wall murals for hotels, offices or even private residences.

“These artists have worked their whole lives, studying and dedicating a lot of time to expositions,” Morgan said. “It is very important to help connect exceptionally talented people with collectors and art lovers. Of course, it is prestigious to have paintings and sculptures of old masters from past centuries, but living contemporary and talented artists need to support themselves so they can create new masterpieces.

I admire those who dedicate their lives to creating amazing new works and I want to help them as much as I can.”