Her Idyll, 2022
Megan Gabrielle Harris
African American Woman Painter
Figurative-Surrealist Portraits
California, NYC, Cape Town
ArtMatch Value Score*: Promising
Megan Gabrielle Harris (b. 1990) is a painter whose figurative-surrealist portraits depict black ladies in leisure.
Harris paints portraits of fashionable women comfortably posing in front of dreamy landscapes, having pleasurable and peaceful experiences. The women’s poses are confident, calm and regal complimented by peaceful, colorful environments that give a grounded yet carefree vibe. Her style is inspired by escapism, a form of art that diverts the mind from daily struggles, also employed by her father, artist Thomas Harris. Harris’ work is influenced by her experience working as a model in the fashion industry and her travels around the world.
“My subjects rest, daydream, they indulge, they travel and they are fulfilled in their own company. My intentions are to glorify and focus in on all of these aspects of Black women simply existing and having pleasurable experiences.”
Image credit: Megan Gabrielle Harris
Megan Gabrielle Harris was born and raised in Sacramento, California. She was a prolific creator as a child and knew from a young age that her future was in the creative industry, more specifically fashion and photography. She was encouraged on this path by her mother, who counselled her to pursue her passion over money, and her father who is an artist. Megan’s father, Thomas, taught her how to paint when she was 9 years old. She grew up in a home covered with paintings, which deeply ignited her inspiration and passion for the arts.
In 2017, shortly after graduating from the California State University, Sacramento, Megan moved to New York to explore new opportunities. She landed her first commission in 2019 to create a mural with champagne brand Veuve Clicquot, which marked the start of her art career.
Lunch at Blanco Colima, 2022
Harris paints figures posing before surreal and dreamy landscapes, reminiscent of Van Gogh swirling backgrounds or Paul Gauguin figurative colourful works. Her subjects are black women, portrayed in fashionable apparel, regal poses, leisurely enjoying their lives, unhindered. She conveys a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, echoing a Californian lifestyle, but also reflective of her own experience and environments. A very strong inspiration from the fashion industry is visible with depictions of fashionable and luxurious clothing, but also the poses the characters adopt which could be an influence from her model career. Time is a fluid element in Harris’ work where subjects are sometimes depicted like Hollywood celebrities from the 1930-50s and sometimes more modern depictions seen in fashion publications today. Her latest series of work uses earth tones, mostly with muted colours. Through this representation, Harris wants to show black women in the best versions of themselves, living life leisurely, with no expectation or limit - a reflection of her own lifestyle and goals. The artist explains that she aims for a representation of ‘carefree’ Black women, to show another version of them, and inspire her audience to mirror this attitude in their own life.
Wanderlust, 2022
When she first started, Harris create meticulous digital drafts which she edited and studied before making her full paintings. As she’s gained experience and confidence, her process has become more organic. She primarily works with acrylic paint on canvas, although she is starting to experiment with oil paint.
Megan Gabrielle Harris obtained her BA in Art History from California State University, Sacramento in 2015. She has worked with several brands to create murals and designed products with brands such as Veuve Clicquot, Wander for Bergdorf Goodman, and Kate Hudson. She had her first solo show earlier this year with De Buck Gallery in New York. She had several group exhibitions, her most recent one being with Out of Africa Gallery in Notting Hill, London, UK. Earlier this year, she had a duo show with REWA at De Buck Gallery which sold out. She participated at EXPO Chicago and Untitled Miami with De Buck Gallery earlier this year. Harris is currently shown at Art X Lagos (Nigeria) with Out of Africa Gallery
until 6th November 2022.
Fireworks, 2018
Megan Gabrielle Harris (AVS* Promising)
Acrylic on Canvas
58(h) x 43(w) in
Unique
$15,000
To acquire this or other works by Megan Gabrielle Harris, email info@yourartmatch.com.
*The ArtMatch Value Score is our assessment of the likelihood of the artist's work to hold or appreciate in value. Numerical scores are calculated based on a combination of variables, including but not limited to type of gallery representation, number of solo shows, quality of collector base, number of pieces sold at auction. Scores are summarized to one of three ranking categories: unclear, promising, and strong. Note this does not constitute official investment advice and is given purely as an input to help assess artists.
Watch Megan discuss her practice:
References:
https://www.hungertv.com/editorial/megan-gabrielle-harris-i-want-to-paint-black-women-as-completely-content-and-free-with-an-overwhelming-sense-of-peace/
https://outofafricagallery.com/artists/63-megan-gabrielle-harris/biography/