We are excited to welcome Liam Mealey as the newest Emerging Artist in Residence at the Orange Art Center! Starting Tuesday, March 10, Liam will be creating new work here while sharing his creative process with our community. Liam is a wildlife illustrator and teaching artist whose work explores nature. You can read more about his goals for the residency and thematic explorations in the Q&A below! During the residency, you may see Liam in your classes or within our building. In addition, community members are invited to visit the artist studio and participate in his upcoming hands-on workshop, offering a chance to see how art is made and to connect directly with the artist. This residency not only supports Liam's growth as an artist but also provides our community with a unique opportunity to experience and engage with art up close. We can't wait to share this creative journey together!
Tell us a little about yourself and your background as an artist.
I am a wildlife illustrator based in Cleveland, Ohio. I graduated from The Cleveland Institute of Art with a degree in illustration. Currently, I engage in teaching throughout the Cleveland area, an experience that has proven to be inspirational in establishing a routine for my artistic practice.
What made you want to apply for the residency?
I was drawn to this residency because it specifically supports emerging artists at the beginning of their careers. As I have not yet had the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition, the idea of doing so was a significant motivator for my application. Additionally, I was eager to have a dedicated space surrounded by nature where I could focus my creativity and find inspiration to develop my art.
What are you hoping to create or explore while you're here?
During my time at the residency, I am looking forward to exploring wheel throwing, crafting vessels, and producing life-like ceramic animal sculptures. I also plan to take advantage of the available space to create large-scale paintings that further my artistic expression.
What aspect of the residency are you most excited to dig into?
I am particularly excited about the prospect of adding a three-dimensional component to my work. It has been some time since I last engaged with sculpting with ceramics, and revisiting this medium brings me a lot of excitement about how my artistic process will evolve. I hope to also create vibrant and distinctive pottery that I can make available for sale in the future.
Where do you pull your inspiration from?
My inspiration stems from the intricate beauty of wildlife and the ethereal qualities inherent in nature. I also find creativity in the unexpected interplay of mixed materials and draw influence from various aesthetics, including gothic, whimsical, and eclectic styles.
Your residency wraps up with a solo exhibition here at the OAC. What do you hope people walk away feeling after seeing your show?
For my residency project, I am focusing on animals that were historically eradicated from Ohio, such as the eastern grey wolf and bison. My goal for the exhibition is to explore themes of memory, impermanence, and our relationship with nature. I aspire for the audience to leave with a call to action regarding environmental protection, while reflecting on the broader implications of impermanence in our lives. Additionally, I aim to incorporate native floral motifs with my ceramics and paintings to evoke a sense of fragility and invite contemplation on the beauty of memory and the connections we share with those around us.