Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Robert Morris emerged as a central figure in the New York art scene during the 1960s. After studying at the University of Kansas and the Kansas City Art Institute, he moved to New York City, where he became a key participant in the development of Minimalist sculpture and conceptual art.

His work is characterized by an interest in the physical properties of materials and the relationship between the object, the viewer, and the surrounding space. Throughout his career, he experimented with felt, industrial materials, and earthworks, often emphasizing the process of creation and the temporal nature of art.

Morris remained a prolific artist and influential theorist until his death in 2018. His legacy is cemented by his extensive body of work and his critical writings, which helped define the trajectory of late 20th-century American art.