VMFA Fellow Megan Angolia

Last May, VMFA welcomed artist Megan Angolia to share insights into her creative process with Canvas members. She was in conversation with fellow award recipients Sayaka Suzuki and Sharon Shapiro. “The museum has made an indelible contribution to artist’s careers,” says Jeffrey Allison, Director of Statewide Programs and Exhibitions and the Paul Mellon Collection Educator, who moderated a wonderfully informative program. “Our Fellowship artists presented inspiring stories about how the Fellowships have impacted their lives and we loved being able to interact with everyone there.” Jeffrey, an award-winning photographer, has received two VMFA Fellowships for his work.

“I was thrilled and excited to receive a VMFA Fellowship in 2022,” says Megan who is a sculptor and painter. Her work combines contemporary female portraiture with centuries old clay techniques. She explains, “Typically with my pieces, there is an intuitive aspect, meaning a comment in passing, an expression or even the pose of a head. Most of my sculptures are fictional characters and it’s a very fluid process.”

Traditionally, Megan explains, women were portrayed as objects of desire or accessories. Her sculptures, averaging approximately two hundred hours per project, show strong female figures with catchy names that invite viewers to rethink stereotypical cultural norms. From works such as You’re going to need to take your pants off for this (2022) to Yeah, I’ll totally do laundry this week (2019), her portraiture is as compelling as it is unique.

Megan says, “I see Canvas as a connecting point between artists and their audience.”