Geoffrey Believed the Maxim That “The Ability to Accessorize Is What Separates Us From the Animals”
mixed-media collage by Sara Pearce, 2012
antique photograph, album page and illustrations (The Delineator; Godey’s Lady’s Book);
vintage rhinestone button from the collection of Polly Pearce, recycled bead catalog;
ink, marker, watercolor. Framed in an antique frame, with conservation glass for UV protection.
6" x 8.25"
Opening Final Friday, March 29th with a a reception from 6-11 pm that evening is:
RolePlay
new collages by Sara Pearce
Exhibition runs through April 21st, with regular gallery hours Thursday- Sunday: 12-4 pm.
David Always Wore Pearls for Formal Portraits
mixed-media collage by Sara Pearce, 2012
antique photograph, album page and illustration (Delineator, March 1893);
recycled bead and jewelry catalogs; ink, marker. Framed in an antique
frame, with conservation glass for UV protection.
6.5" x 9"
It was kismet- Sara Pearce said yes to having a show at 1305 this year! I thought, "how very perfect to have her work here." I have had a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Sara Pearce for years. Her relatively recent foray into creating visual art, making stunning collages from her impressive collection of vintage and antique paper, now gives me the opportunity to write about her. How very daunting!
If you are a patron of the arts in Cincinnati and haven't seen one of Pearce's pieces it's long past time that you did. She has dutifully documented much of her process and her publicity on her website http://www.paperwithapast.com, with links there to her blog which she posts in almost daily, if you need to catch up. A self-described frenetic personality, Pearce is as prolific at creating works of art as she is precise. Perhaps some of the profusion gains inertia from the artist's media: a vast and organized collection principally ofpaper.
The collages, which she mostly will label as "mixed media," demand long labels to hold not just the clever and often wordy titles, but also to reference the publication or printed document from which each element owes its origin. Often very little of the piece is anything else other than meticulously cut and arranged original paper imagery or text. The artist will lend just a little watercolor, ink, or marker to many of the pieces in this exhibition, as well the occasional vintage rhinestone button. Ever present in the compositions is Ms. Pearce's wit, sensitivity to historic notions and objects, ability to point out our cultural fallacies, and a terrific eye for the fantastic.
Come see RolePlay for a look into Sara Pearce's pieces exploring contemporary and historical notions of gender, equality, and the ever-raging battle of the sexes. Check out Sara's website for additional images and info!
Charles Wondered Whether the Sleeves Were a Bit Much
mixed-media collage by Sara Pearce, 2012
antique photograph (photographer: Dana, 14th St. & 6th Ave., New York, NY),
album page and illustration (Delineator, Dec. 1895); ink, watercolor, marker.
Framed in an antique frame, with conservation glass for UV protection.
7.25" x 9.25"
Richard Felt Most Comfortable Cross Dressing in the Privacy of His Study
mixed-media collage by Sara Pearce, 2012
antique photograph, album page and illustrations (The Ladies World, Nov. 1895 & Oct. 1895;
Delineator, June 1898, July 1899, Aug. 1899 & Sept. 1904); ink, marker, watercolor.
Framed in an antique frame, with conservation glass for UV protection.
4" x 7"
