Framed Presents Lauren Pearce: Wake me Where I Lay

Lauren Pearce is a self-taught artist raised in South Florida and currently based in Cleveland. Her work is a vibrant exploration of identity, rooted deeply in her Jamaican heritage and the transformative power of nature.

Drawing inspiration from the natural world and her personal journey of “unmasking,” Pearce creates layered, narrative-rich pieces that invite viewers into intimate, imagined worlds. Each work is a meditation on what it means to be fully oneself—vulnerable, evolving, and connected to the earth. Nature is not just a backdrop in her art: it is a collaborator, a mirror, and a guide.

With intricate detail and bold composition, Pearce’s art tells stories meant to transport. Her goal is for each piece to feel like a journey—one where viewers can lose themselves in the textures, symbols, and emotional depth of her work.

From the artist:

My practice is rooted in mixed media figurative work, where I explore themes of identity, neurodivergence, and reclamation through the quiet wisdom of nature. After receiving an autism diagnosis, I began a process of unmasking—of gently uncovering the parts of myself I had hidden, dismissed, or misunderstood. Nature became both my sanctuary and my mirror: a space where I could finally move at my own pace, be wholly myself, and feel seen in the smallest of details.

Each piece I create is a conversation between my inner world and the wildness outside. I work with an array of materials, often cutting and layering paper in ways that mirror the complexity and delicacy of the natural world. This process is intentionally slow and meditative—an act of alignment, a quiet rebellion against speed, and a return to curiosity. I allow my inner child to lead, following instincts, textures, and colors that bring me closer to a sense of freedom.

I am captivated by the primal and whimsical duality of nature. Through my work, I seek to translate that wonder—to offer viewers a moment of pause. I want people to feel transported, to notice the minute, tender details, and to move slowly through the piece as they might through a forest: with awe, with softness, and with a sense of calm.

“Wake Me Where I Lay” is both a plea and a surrender. It marks a turning point in my journey—a point of stillness, rootedness, and awakening to the truth of who I am when the masks fall away.

FRAMED GALLERY
15813 Waterloo Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44110
framedgallery.net
216.832.5101
216.400.7554

EVENTS:

Lauren Pearce: Wake me Where I Lay, opening 6-9pm Saturday, September 27