Visit Meg Pierce's website: https://www.megpierce.com/
Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megpierceart/
Having spent many years in India, I am always drawn to artists who beautifully blend Asian culture into their work. This cultural fusion is a coincidence and a testament to the creative souls I encounter here in Sarasota, who frequently incorporate Southeast Asian patterns into their art.
One hot April afternoon, I met Meg Pierce, a wonderful woman and a rare artist with unique style and techniques, in her cozy studio in Sarasota, Florida. The first thing that caught my eye was the familiar fabric and mandala patterns, reminiscent of my travels across India and Asia. It made me reflect on how we are all connected, even while living in different parts of the world, and how Western and Eastern cultures intersect and inspire one another.
Meg Pierce's artistic journey is as rich and textured as the vintage fabrics she loves to work with. Growing up in Buffalo, Meg’s passion for art led her to the College of New Rochelle, where she earned her undergraduate degree. She further honed her craft with a Master's in Art and Art Education from Columbia University and an MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.
For over three decades, from 1969 to 2001, Meg dedicated herself to teaching art at Herricks Schools in New Hyde Park, Long Island. Teaching wasn’t just a job for her; it was a source of immense energy and pride. Even while inspiring young minds, she never let go of her artistic practice, always finding time for painting, watercolors, and printmaking.
Meg has always had a deep appreciation for vintage items, mainly fabrics that seem to carry the whispers of the past. Rich with history and a specific feminine sensitivity, these materials captivated her. She collected these treasures for years but needed to integrate them into her art. That changed as her work evolved. In recent years, Meg began blending these vintage fabrics with her paintings. She adhered pieces of cloth to her canvases, layering them with paint and adding elements like silk flowers and appliqué. This transition marked a new chapter in her artistic expression. She also started experimenting with needlework, initially on handkerchiefs and later on larger pieces like tablecloths, layering handkerchiefs, and organza to create depth and texture.
Her exploration didn't stop there. Meg ventured into cyanotype, a photographic printing process that uses sunlight to create blueprints on fabric or paper. She crafted intricate, delicate patterns by incorporating various laces into her cyanotype works, highlighting her ability to merge traditional craft with contemporary art.
After losing her beloved husband, Vernon Pierce, in 2008, Meg moved to Sarasota, Florida, dedicating herself entirely to her art. Her recent works are a captivating mix of hand stitching, mixed media, collage, and painting, all featuring vintage fibers, silk flowers, leaves, and found objects. She calls some of her creations "soft shields," reflecting their handmade and machine stitching blend.
Meg's art has been exhibited extensively in New York and Florida shows. Some of her notable exhibitions include Florida CraftArt in St. Petersburg, SPAACES in Sarasota, Selby Gallery at Ringling College of Art & Design, Harmony Gallery in Sarasota, and Art Center Sarasota.
Her participation in numerous artist residencies further underscores her dedication to her craft:
• Jentel Artist Residency in Wyoming (September 2022)
• Hambidge Center for the Arts in Georgia (September 2019 and September 2016)
• Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Annaghmakerrigg, Ireland (June 2018)
• Weir Farm in Wilton, Connecticut (April 2017 and February 2012)
• Brush Creek Foundation in Wyoming (January 2016)
• Millay Colony for the Arts in Austerlitz, NY (September 2014)
• Hermitage Artist Retreat in Sarasota (2010)
Meg is excited about a project involving indigo dye on vintage baby clothes. She plans to develop this project into an installation to create a serene, nurturing environment. Her vision is to transform these clothes, imbued with memories and history, into an artistic experience that resonates with viewers on an emotional level.
Through decades of dedication, exploration, and innovation, Meg Pierce continues pushing the boundaries of her creativity. Her work is a testament to her passion for art and her ability to weave the past into the present, creating timeless and deeply personal pieces that are feminine and sweet.
photos: https://iruphotos.com/
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