Past Exhibitions

For over 25 years, Morley Baer formed relationships with architects shaping the future of coastal California architecture, as they innovated after the end of World War II (1939–1945) and photographed this emerging style. His understanding of Northern Californian architectural modernism put him in close contact with the greats of the industry, such as Julia Morgan and Frank Lloyd Wright. Baer produced iconic representations of this brand of coastal modernity through unique artistic interpretations of architectural structures—a style of dramatic lighting against the built environment.

Morley Baer: Modernism in Northern California Architecture presents the first comprehensive showcase of Morley Baer's architectural photography, featuring selections from the Monterey Museum of Art's extensive archive of over 1,000 images. His work spans a diverse range of structures, from the rugged coastlines of Big Sur to the modernist enclaves of Sea Ranch, reflecting the evolution of Late Modern, organic, and Midcentury designs.

About the Curator

Cydney Payton is an American curator and writer specializing in contemporary art and experimental architecture. Throughout her career, she has curated over fifty exhibitions featuring artists such as Lynda Benglis, Collier Schorr, and Wangechi Mutu. In addition to her extensive work with solo exhibitions, Payton has also organized group exhibitions, including Temporary Structures at the San Francisco Art Institute and Martha Casanave: Fictions at the Center for Photographic Art (CPA). Payton has served as Director and Chief Curator at institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA Denver) and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA).

Support for this exhibition provided by Cynthia and Forrest Miller and Robin and Chris Sawyer.

Image: Mark Mills House (I), Mission at 13th, Carmel, CA, 1953. By Morley Baer © 2025, the Morley Baer Photography Trust, Santa Fe. All rights reserved. Used by permission.