SDA In the Studio with Meg Pierce

August 16, 2016

Pattern, symmetrical design, and grids are the organizing principles in my work. Through working in painting, drawing, and collage, I have always been interested in fine variations color and line. I find great joy in the complexity found in textiles, which exemplify these elements. Old lace, handkerchiefs, thread, and women’s stories are my inspirations. I use fabric, lace, string, pins, and layers of paint as my metaphors for interior life. Our inner life is constructed year by year with levels of experience and feeling that become and defend our center. This intricacy often remains hidden, discovered only upon careful observation.

Meg Pierce Lido Mandala (2015) Vintage illustrations and papers, lace, acrylic on canvas, 20″ in diameter

Recently, I have been using vintage white handkerchiefs, embellished with sashiko stitching and straight pins. The delicate nature of the cotton is both in harmony with and contrasts my materials. This work creates a complex visual experience. Sewing notions and stitched vintage fabrics are layered with paper and transparent acrylic glazes. The safety pins, seams, embellishments and vintage fabric also have particularly feminine meaning. The use of older materials possess an innate beauty and carry an historical echo of their makers. I feel in this work I have found a way to align a contemporary aesthetic with a deep personal expression of my history and self.

Meg Pierce Gulf Window (work in progress) (2016) Drawn toile, crochet threads, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30″

I love working with vintage fabrics and papers to honor the history of women makers and preserve it within a contemporary aesthetic. I am heavily inspired by Agnes Martin. Her meditative minimalism would seem to be at odds with the complexity of lace and stitchery of my work but somehow it works with the muted palette and pure calm design.

Meg Pierce White Handkerchiefs (2016) Vintage handkerchiefs, crochet threads, pastel, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 40″ Juxtaposed with Agnes Martin Untitled (1978) Watercolor and colored ink on transparentized paper, 22.9 x 22.9 cm

I taught art in public middle and high school levels on Long Island at Herricks Union Free School for 32 years. I found teaching to be an extraordinary source of energy and pride. Since retirement I have been able to devote my full energies to my own practice by working on very satisfying and meaningful work. I spend my time in a rented studio space, surrounded by other artists and their studios. It truly is my real home.

Meg Pierce‘s Studio in Sarasota, FL

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Meg Pierce is a recent SDA member based out of Sarasota, FL. She received her MA in Art and Art Education from Columbia and an MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute. With many residencies under her belt (including Hambidge Center Arts in GA and Weir farm in CT) as well as exhibitions nationwide, we are so happy that Meg has decided to become a part of SDA!

See more of Meg’s work at www.megpierce.com

All text written by Meg Pierce and edited by Lauren Sinner, Assistant Editor of Surface Design Journal