Personal, powerful sculpture

Two area artists are bringing their work together this month. But for close friends and sculptors Matt Miller and Nathan Pierce, it's not the first time.

The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri is hosting Miller's and Pierce's work through July 28, with solo exhibits by both artists. Arts council director Murielle Wyman said the pieces explore some powerful aspects of art.

"Both are spectacular sculptors, but with different styles that convey personal experiences," Wyman said. "It has been great having them in here because you can see the camaraderie between them. These guys travel the country together installing art pieces, and that bond comes through in their exhibits."

Matt Miller, a local artist and a member of the Visual Arts Cooperative, gained inspiration for his exhibit "Home" after a difficult experience in his personal life. Miller's pieces use wood, steel, stone, photography, papier-mache, cardboard and paint. Through the creation of his pieces, Miller said, he has been forced to reconcile some challenging issues, including a recent divorce, but it has also helped give him some perspective.

“Home No. 3,” one of the sculptures that are part of Matt Miller’s “Houses and Homes.” (ADAM VOGLER)

"Going through divorce was traumatic for me. There was a period of breakdown and questioning what to do next and how to carry on," Miller said. "The art became a way to cope, to record a timeline of life events through creation."

A model of Nathaniel Pierce's sculpture "Part of the Problem #1," on display at the at the Cape Arts Council, 32 N. Main St., Tuesday, July 17. This is part of a series of sculptures entitled "Loss of Signal," only one of which was able to be displayed due to the size of the sculptures. (ADAM VOGLER)

All proceeds from the sale of his pieces at the arts council will be donated to Hoops for Life, an organization dedicated to pediatric brain tumor research in memory of Sahara "Hoops" Aldridge. Miller said, even though he never thought of people buying the art while creating it, this is a way to have something good come from something bad.

"I just feel that this is so personal for me, I could never accept the money for myself. It's like opening a diary to the world for me. It wouldn't be right for me to profit from the pages," Miller said. "But to help others through the charity is a fantastic feeling. And I hope these works help others who are going through the same thing learn to release."

Pierce is also a sculptor based in Cape Girardeau, and he specializes in large-scale pieces that use a variety of media, primarily wood and metal. Pierce's exhibit, "Loss of Signal," focuses on communication and whether one succeeds or fails in communicating effectively with those around them. Through his exhibit, Pierce said, there is a struggle to figure out how can we better communicate, and viewing his pieces in person may cause you to ask some of the same questions about your life. Wyman said his sculptures immediately grab one's attention and look like devices that could have been used to communicate centuries ago.

"I think this is the first time we have had this type of large sculpture here at the arts council, at least since I've been here. And when you walk in and look around, these huge pieces just fill your eyes with beauty," Wyman said. "The sheer size combined with what they stand for -- a commentary on how we communicate inward and outward -- is very engaging, and has made more than a few people come back by."

"Home No. 2," one of the scupltures that are part of Matt Miller's "Houses and Homes." (ADAM VOGLER)

Miller said "Loss of Signal" is one of the strongest shows Pierce has put together in the many years they have known each other.

"It's like he finally found his niche," Miller said. "He found a subject that grabs him, and he ran with it. The end result looks so strong and powerful. It's really impressive, considering everything we see during our travels."

The Visual Arts Cooperative also has new works in their gallery space at the arts council. Galleries are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Works by Miller and Pierce will be on display through July 28. For more information, call the arts council at 334-9233 or go to capearts.org.

jsamons@semissourian.com

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