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Deering Estate presents "Meg Wallace: Mother Mangroves"

MIAMI ( August 03, 2020 )

The Deering Estate is pleased to present Meg Wallace's "Mother Mangroves" as our summer contemporary art exhibition on view in the historic Stone House Great Hall gallery now through September 30, 2020. While the historic house museums are currently closed to the public, guided access to Mother Mangroves is available by appointment only, on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Guided Access appointments are limited to 5 people maximum at a time, all from the same family or group. The cost is $10 and includes estate admission. Appointments can be scheduled online

"Mother Mangroves" features new work by local interdisciplinary artist Meg Wallace. The exhibition includes paintings, photography, poetry, sculpture and a sound installation of recordings from nature taken at the Deering Estate. Wallace's new body of work contemplates the natural rhythms and forms of the mangrove forests surrounding the Deering Estate and much of the South Florida coastline. Taking cues from the lyrical lines of mangrove stems and branches, Wallace creates hypnotic and enthralling paintings in vibrant hues and gold leaf that capture the energy and spirituality of nature. In her photographic series, Wallace casts local doula Sheila Simms-Watson as the "mother," an eternal figure of love, strength and symbol of refuge within the landscape of the mangroves. Poetry is included throughout the exhibition, and features words by children, musicians and the artist herself that tell the story of the maternal power and grace found in nature.

Mother Mangroves is currently on display in the Great Hall gallery of the Stone House at the Deering Estate. Photos of the exhibit are available online courtesy of Deering Estate. The Stone House was built in 1922 by Charles Deering, and the Great Hall originally held many of the masterpieces of his collection, including paintings by John Singer Sargent, Ramon Casas i Carbó, Rembrandt, and Goya, among others. The Great Hall serves as a rotating exhibition space at the Deering Estate where we continue Charles Deering's legacy of supporting artists through a robust program of rotating contemporary art exhibitions.

About the artist:

Meg Wallace is a contemporary surreal abstract artist who resides in Palmetto Bay. A native to South Florida, she creates paintings that reflect the vibrant spirit and unique environment of her hometown. She intentionally creates versatile images to engage imaginative dialogue. The visceral nature of Meg's work is meant to form connection, spark imagination, and challenge perception. Wallace interweaves her passion to empower humanity with her penchant to preserve nature through her artwork. She has volunteered and advocated for over 20 years with various organizations in Miami that provide help and resources to abused children and women. As an empath who is easily affected by the trauma surrounding her, she finds solace in expressing her deep emotions with art and spending time in nature. Meg works across various mediums including painting, photography, abstract installations, plaster and masonry. She is an avid learner and embraces the challenge of mastering new mediums.

Wallace's art has been shown in various solo and group exhibitions throughout Miami-Dade County, including at the Coral Gables Museum, The Lowe Art Museum, Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Wynwood Art District, The Artisan Lounge, Downtown Art Walk, Miami Beach Convention Center, and Pinecrest Gardens.

Meg's paintings have been featured on PBS's ArtLoft, and several of her paintings were selected to be on the set of David Makes Man, a drama series from Miami’s Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight) on OWN. Wallace's art publications include Sacramento Poetry Center's Tule Review, The Grief Diaries, and The Menteur.

About the Deering Estate
The Deering Estate preserves the 1920s era Miami estate of Charles Deering, Chicago industrialist, early preservationist, environmentalist, art collector, philanthropist and first chairman of the International Harvester Company. The Deering Estate is a 21st century house museum, cultural and ecological field station, and a national landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places, owned by the State of Florida and managed by Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department. The Deering Estate has diverse activities for the whole family to enjoy!

Cultural Arts Programming at the Deering Estate is made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, and The Deering Estate Foundation, Inc.

About the Deering Estate Foundation
For those who treasure the Deering Estate, who advocate for its preservation and wish to invest in its future, The Deering Estate Foundation provides opportunities for individuals and corporations alike to partake in membership, signature events, and one-of-a-kind experiences, all in service of providing vital funding and support to the Deering Estate. Through these efforts, the foundation fulfills its mission to uphold the legacy of Charles Deering's cherished 1920s-era property, to provide funding for the cultural, educational and recreational experiences it offers, as well as its significant scientific and archaeological endeavors to conserve its diverse flora, fauna and the eight native ecosystems that thrive on its 450 acres, and to ensure its longevity as a prized American heritage site. Established in 1989, The Deering Estate Foundation, Inc. is a community-based charitable 501(c)3 Florida Corporation and the philanthropic partner of the Deering Estate.