Low-Residency MFA in Visual Studies

rpierce@willamette.edu

Ryan Pierce's paintings, prints, and experimental artist books envision a world recovering from human industry amid the throes of climate chaos. He draws on influences from ecological theory, literature, and folk art to create scenes that portray the resilience of the natural world.

He has exhibited internationally and his work has been recognized by grants from the Joan Mitchell and San Francisco Foundations, and an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Oregon Arts Commission, and has reviews in Art in America, Art Papers, and The Oregonian. Pierce has been an artist in residence at the Ucross Foundation, Caldera, and Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder in Norway, and a fellow at the Jordan Schnitzer Printmaking Residency at Sitka Center for Art & Ecology. Pierce has taught at colleges and universities throughout Oregon and lectured as a Visiting Artist at more than 30 institutions. In 2019 his work was showcased in the Portland Art Museum's inaugural triennial of NorthIst Art, titled the map is not the territory... He is represented by Elizabeth Leach Gallery in Portland.

Pierce is the co-founder, with activist Amy Harwood, of Signal Fire, a group that facilitates wilderness residencies and retreats for artists of all disciplines. He is also founding Director of Wide Open Studios, an arts and ecology field program.