Tayloe Piggott Gallery is pleased to present an exhibition of select new works by local artist Mike Piggott. Often depicting personal experiences or landscapes, Piggott’s aesthetic vividly portrays a simple lifestyle that illuminates the beauty of the familiar. This exhibition showcases new paintings that portray a nostalgic, western ethos- evoking reflection on the concept of place. An artist reception to celebrate this exhibition will be held Friday, May 10th from 5-8pm. All are invited to attend.
Radiating a style of painting similar to well-known artist David Hockney, Piggott creates scenes from his immediate surroundings in a manner that transcends any particular category of art. Within Piggott’s new body of work, he playfully explores the subtle nuances of bold color in western scenes. His work titled Cowgirl depicts a portrait of a girl dressed in a bright yellow shirt with a teal scarf. The colors captivate the viewer and create a dichotomy between the vivid, uplifting shades and the girl’s stoic, unyielding expression. Although each composition depicts a commonplace subject, Piggott’s work often hints at a deeper meaning hidden within the familiar imagery.
The title of Piggott’s show, Peripheral, speaks to the mysterious quality found within his aesthetic. It is one that we are all familiar with yet struggle to put into words. It is the feeling of being detached from something that was once familiar to you yet is now out of reach. The nostalgic sensation of being unable to return to a place that has changed over time or a person that has grown apart from you. Bittersweet and meaningful, this feeling is rooted within Piggott’s compositions and pulls the audience in as they desire to reunite with the wistful imagery before them.
Piggott was born in 1963 in Charlottesville, VA. He received his BA at Virginia Commonwealth University and continued his studies at the Winchester College of Art, Winchester, England. Piggott has had numerous solo exhibitions with Tayloe Piggott Gallery, the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center, Lynchburg, VA, and at the Neapolitan Gallery, Richmond, VA. Piggott lives and works in Jackson, Wyoming.
