Key Takeaways
- Jack Pierson is a renowned American artist known for his work in contemporary photography and mixed media art.
- His career spans over three decades, with numerous solo and group exhibitions.
- Pierson's work is found in major public collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
- He employs a range of media, including photography, collage, sculptural assemblage, and installation.
- Pierson's work explores themes of love, longing, identity, and nostalgia, making him a prominent figure in contemporary American art.
Jack Pierson (b. 1960, Plymouth, Massachusetts) is an American visual artist and photographer. Recognized for his diverse body of work, including photography, collages, text-based sculptures, installations, drawings, and artist publications, Pierson gained prominence with his Self-Portrait series, which was featured in the 2004 Whitney Biennial. His creations are part of many prestigious museum collections worldwide.
The Visionary Artist Redefining Contemporary Expression
Jack Pierson (born 1960, Plymouth, Massachusetts) is a versatile American artist and photographer. His creative repertoire includes photography, collages, text-based sculptures, installations, drawings, and artist books. Pierson's acclaimed Self-Portrait series was showcased at the 2004 Whitney Biennial, and his works are featured in many prominent museum collections.
Pierson earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design in 1984. During his final year of study, he participated in an exchange program at Cooper Union, further broadening his artistic horizons.
A Multidimensional Artist Exploring Layers of Meaning
Jack Pierson's artistic practice spans a wide range of mediums, including wall drawings, word-based works, installations, drawings, paintings, and photography. He is closely associated with the Boston School, a group of photographers from the early 1980s, such as David Armstrong, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Nan Goldin, Mark Morrisroe, and Doug and Mike Starn. These artists often focused on capturing intimate or seemingly casual moments among their close-knit circle of friends.
In 1991, Pierson began creating his iconic Word Sculptures using found materials like mismatched letters salvaged from junkyards, old signs, and defunct establishments such as movie theaters and roadside diners. These sculptures form words or phrases that carry layered and open-ended interpretations.
In 1997, Pierson collaborated with the artistic collective Bernadette Corporation to create Past Life in Egypt, a video featuring Ursula Hodel as a glamorous dominatrix recounting her past life as a cruel Egyptian queen. The video blends humor, drama, and nostalgia while reflecting on themes of memory and regret.
Pierson's 2003 book Self Portrait presents 15 photographs of strikingly beautiful men, arranged to represent the progression of life from youth to old age. Interestingly, none of the images feature the artist himself.
In 2006, Pierson expanded his creative scope with a series of silkscreen paintings inspired by a pencil drawing of a woman's face from an old postcard. These works, characterized by linear graphics in black ink on off-white linen, reinterpret the original image through manual multiplication and silkscreen reproduction, offering a fragmented yet cohesive visual narrative.
Another unique series includes Pierson’s "first page drawings," where he meticulously handwrites the opening pages of books by female authors, such as Barbara Pym, Jean Rhys, Sister Wendy, and Marilyn Monroe. These works transform machine-printed texts into singular, handwritten artifacts.
Pierson’s work continually explores themes of memory, identity, and transformation, challenging traditional artistic forms while creating deeply evocative pieces.
Creative Commissions
Pierson frequently collaborates with magazines and high-end fashion brands, undertaking exclusive photography assignments. In 2012, the Italian luxury brand Bottega Veneta commissioned him to shoot their spring/summer campaign, featuring models Liya Kebede, Karmen Pedaru, and Alexandre Cunha against the scenic backdrop of Coconut Grove, Florida.
As part of The Source, a project by artist Doug Aitken, Pierson participated in a filmed conversation that delved into the core of his artistic approach and creative philosophy.
Museum Collections
Pierson's work is housed in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including:
- Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Museum of Modern Art, New York
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
- Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Irish Museum of Modern Art
Representation in the Art Market
Jack Pierson is represented by several leading international galleries, including Xavier Hufkens, Thaddaeus Ropac, Regen Projects, and Lisson Gallery, the latter having added him to their roster in 2022.
Selena Mattei
| ArtMajeur Magazine
