Pier Wright
Pier Wright lives on the Leelanau Peninsula in the village of Northport, a short walk from Lake Michigan. He has operated the Wright Gallery in Northport since 2002 during the summer months. Pier received his BA from Kalamazoo College and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, and his paintings are included in many personal and corporate collections across the country.
His paintings celebrate color, form, spontaneity & imperfection. Finished paintings are meant to look “easy” but they are nearly always the result of a great struggle. For Pier, “poetry, ceramics & painting have been and continue to be an investigation into my own ignorance, a process of self-discovery in which not knowing results in its own unique kind of knowledge.”
It takes a long time to make it simple
Walking along creek
Keep on Truckin'
Between the down here and the up there
Climbing up the hill, falling down the hill, all at once
Fairy Tale
Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit
Jam
How long have you lived in the Traverse City region? What brought you here? What keeps you here?
Originally from Florida, I moved to Grand Rapids with my mother. I was introduced to Northern Michigan in the early 70’s, through my work at a tennis camp. I instantly loved the region, but didn’t know how to make a living here as an artist. In 1996, a gallery representing my work in Chicago was selling a lot of work, and a friend offered me a temporary space on Old Mission, where I ended up staying for six years. In 2002, I bought the gallery in Northport, which I operate during the summer months. The supportive and inclusive community of Northport keeps me here.
How does your art practice connect you to the community or vice versa?
Pre-COVID, I operated the Wright Gallery as a traditional gallery, bringing in international artists and outside curators. I was really proud of the diversity and perspectives we introduced to the region. Post-pandemic, I changed the model and started showing my own work, to which the evolving community seemed to respond well. During the off-season, I paint and create work at Clayspace, a fantastic facility where I’ve found a wonderful social and creative outlet. In the summer months, the gallery contributes to the community by encouraging foot traffic in Northport and encouraging folks to discover art—I’ve noticed that over 50% of people visiting have never been to an art gallery.
What is an underappreciated aspect of our region?
The beauty of our region is so incredible—truly nothing compares. Traveling to different places has shown me how special this place is. My paintings are based in nature, in a love of the landscape.
Tell us about your process for one of these works.
I live for being surprised. If I can be surprised in my work once a day, I’m the happiest guy in the world. In my collage, I move pieces around and add elements until suddenly something hits that I’ve never seen before. I consider myself a colorist, and color is one of my primary languages. Color makes the eye respond spatially—color creates space and spatial relationships, resulting in harmony and surprising juxtapositions.
Do you have any local art crushes?
Jesse Hickman: I really respect the heck out of his work. Amanda Acker is a true unique voice. Rufus Snoddy is a pro and a sweet guy, with a lot of integrity. Gene Larson, who is very underrepresented here.