Bio
Megan Wilson is a visual artist based out of San Francisco. Wilson’s large-scale installations and public projects utilize a broad range of pop culture methodologies and aesthetics as a point of entry and engagement for the issues she addresses conceptually. She's used traditional crafts and interior design to explore the meanings of “home” and “homelessness;” public murals and street art as a strategy for challenging corporate values and the surface aesthetics of capitalism; and performance through the embodiment of a bright pink, cuddly pig with a big grin to represent corporate criminals, doling out their token “Lies,” “Toxic Debt,” and “Dirty Tricks.”

In 2000 Wilson co-organized the performance/protest series Art Strikes Back in response to the unprecedented and unrestricted level of gentrification and displacement in San Francisco during the "dotcom boom." In 2003 she curated and co-organized the international exchange and residency Sama-sama/Together, a collaboration between community arts organizations and artists from San Francisco (USA) and Yogyakarta (Indonesia) designed to foster understanding of Muslim and non-Muslim cultures following 9/11. From 2004 – 2008 she transformed her 1,600 sq. ft. living space into an installation that explored and challenged the meanings of “home” and “homelessness” through her project Home 1996-2008. Currently Wilson is a co-organizer of the Clarion Alley Mural Project and one of the organizers of CAPITALISM IS OVER! If You Want It, an ongoing movement of interruptions/actions by artists from around the world in response to the need for a fundamental shift in our approach to Capitalism and the negative impact it has on the environment, health, and wellbeing of all.

Wilson received her BFA from the University of Oregon and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. Her work has been exhibited at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art (S.F.), Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Southern Exposure, Intersection for the Arts, The Luggage Store, the San Francisco Arts Commission, Sun Valley Center for the Arts (ID), thirtyninehotel (Honolulu, HI), Green Papaya (Manila), Print It! (Barcelona), and LIP (Yogyakarta). She has created public projects in the San Francisco Bay Area, Tokyo, Japan; Yogyakarta & Bali, Indonesia; Jaipur, India, and Manila Philippines. Wilson is a recipient of grant awards from the Gunk Foundation, Artadia, the Asian Cultural Council, the Ford Foundation, the San Francisco Foundation, and the San Francisco Art Commission. Wilson’s work is included in FRESH 1: Cutting Edge Illustrations in 3D and FRESH 2: Cutting Edge Illustrations in Public edited by Slanted; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art 75 Years of Looking Forward, edited by Janet Bishop, Corey Keller, Sarah Roberts; Street Art San Francisco Mission Muralismo, edited by Annice Jacoby; Mural Art: Murals on Huge Public Surfaces Around the World by Kirakoss Iosifidis; Illustration: Play - Craving for the Extraordinary, Published by Victionary; Sama-sama/Together: An International Exchange Project Between Yogyakarta and San Francisco, Published by Jam Karet; and The Gallery at Villa Montalvo: Selected Exhibitions from 1996-2000, edited by Theres Rohan.

Statement
My current work addresses the need for a fundamental shift from free-market Capitalism that puts profit before all else and negatively impacts the environment, health, and wellbeing of all (see my Points to Consider on the State of Free Market Capitalism). We’re all active and/or passive participants in Capitalism. However, it’s not helpful to approach the existing system from a place of polarity - either you live completely off the grid or you’re a Capitalist. I’m interested in creative forms of engagement for provoking deeper considerations of these issues. Influences include economist E.F. Schumacher, environmentalist Vandana Shiva, economist, Raj Patel, social activist Naomi Klein, philosopher Slavoj Žižek, economist Richard D. Wolff, and economist Robert Reich.

Additionally, I’ve been a practitioner of Buddhism for over ten years and Vipassana meditation for over five. Both are closely tied to my art practice – and my art is closely tied to my Buddhist and meditation practices. I often create art that is conceptually rooted in elements of these practices and that is intentionally ephemeral or that I give away. Much of my work is no longer in existence because it was never meant to be permanent - forcing the viewer/consumer, as well as myself, to let go of any expectations of its monetary worth. This is not to say that I don’t appreciate or create work that’s collectible and/or consumer-based; I do create and appreciate such work. However, it is integral to my practice to challenge myself in ways that are always pushing me to evolve, including the creation of work that's impermanent or gifted.

Curriculum Vitate (printable PDF)

Recent, Current & Upcoming Projects/Exhibitions & News:

99% in progress

99%

99% is a public art/street art project that speaks to the need for a fundamental shift in the status quo approach to current economic models, labor, the environment, human rights, and the health and wellbeing of all. In support of the OCCUPY! movement, I am making a series of hand painted signs (1000 to start) with the statement “We Are The 99%” in different languages (so far I have English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, Gujarati, Telugu, Hebrew, Hungarian, German, Roma, Serbian/ Bosnian/ Croatian, Russian, Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesian, Thai, Japanese, French, Italian, Czech, Slovakian, Polish, Dutch, Danish, Yiddish, Haitian, Swahili, Georgian, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Greek, Turkish, Vietnamese, Tamil, Armenian, Urdu, and Estonian).

The signs all have bold black text on a color background painted on ¼” plywood in varying sizes. These are being distributed initially in San Francisco and Oakland to:

1. OccupySF and Occupy Oakland participants to be used at marches and protests – participants will be asked to display their signs in their home windows and/or tents when not in use.
2. Folks who might not have time to participate in the actual occupation, but want to lend support – to place in their windows in solidarity of the movement.
3. Small businesses to place in their windows in support and solidarity of the movement.

I am working to raise the funds to employ assistants (artists/sign painters who are currently unemployed) at $20/hour (a livable wage in the Bay Area) to help create and distribute the signs.

If the project is successful in the Bay Area, I will work to expand it to additional cities around the county and ultimately around the globe.

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Third Strike: 100 Performances for the Hole
SOMArts
December 10, 2011, 5:58PM–midnight
934 Brannan St. (between 8th & 9th)
San Francisco, CA

Third Strike: 100 Performances for The Hole is a mini-marathon of time-based performance. Each performance lasts just two minutes and takes place in, around, in contradiction of, or is inspired by “The Hole,” a 100-year-old former sand casting pit in the floor of the SOMArts Main Gallery. This event was conceived by SOMArts Curator & Gallery Director, Justin Hoover. In his words, “We imagine this biennial event as a spectrometer for time- based art, an open forum for creativity reflecting contemporary media and popular culture. It’s a rare and much needed opportunity for Bay Area artists to engage in unencumbered live performance art in a way that is simultaneously intimate and macroscopic.”
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BROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS | VANQUISHED TERRAINS
Intersection for the Arts
April 2012

Broadside Attractions: Vanquished Terrains is a playful collaborative project between 12 San Francisco Bay Area visual artists and 12 Bay Area writers curated by Maw Shein Win and Megan Wilson in collaboration with Kevin Chen and Intersection for the Arts.

Visual Artists:
Eliza Barrios • Paul Bridenbaugh • Karrie Hovey • Misa Inaoka • Keiko Ishihara • Patricia K. Kelly • Dwayne Marsh • Nathaniel Parsons • Christine Ponelle • Matt Rogers • Megan Wilson • Michael Zheng

Writers:
Hugh Behm-Steinberg • Chaim Bertman • Jenny Bitner • Jaime Cortez • Elise Ficarra • Steve Gilmartin • Annice Jacoby • Myron Michael • Vince Montague • Ly Nguyen • Nana Twumasi • Maw Shein Win

Help Support The Project by contributing through:
1. Our Broadside Attractions Kickstarter campaign
2. Intersection for the Arts as a tax-deductible donation

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KUSF in EXILE – Roll Call with DJ Margaret Tedesco
October 29, 2011
Guests: Cheryl Meeker, Dan Spenser, Eliza Barrios, Megan Wilson

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Clarion Alley, September 2011

IN THE PRESS:

CAPITALISM IS OVER! If You Want It mural, Clarion Alley - Mission Local, August 17, 2011

CAPITALISM IS OVER! If You Want It, at ATA - Mission Local, September 21, 2011

Clarion Alley Mural Project (and CIO!) - New York Times, September 24, 2011

CAPITALISM IS OVER! If You Want It, at ATA - EcoLocalizer, September 27, 2011

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SOLUTIONS!
Luggage Store Gallery
Projection Series
1007 Market Street (@ 6th)
San Francisco, CA
September 1 - 30, 2011

As concerns continue to rise globally for the economy, unemployment, environmental degradation, food shortages, and human rights abuses, the call for “SOLUTIONS” has become the mantra of the masses. While primarily wealthy, privileged pundits and politicians debate this need and how best to address it on cable news, millions have taken to the streets throughout the world to demand action. Until our voices are heard, the call for revolution will grow louder.

SOLUTIONS! is part of this call to action. However, rather than taking to the streets through direct protest, the project is using the same strategy that corporate advertisers uses to influence the public – utilizing strong graphics at select sites with targeted high visibility. With a colorful, pop interface and choice locations, SOLUTIONS! puts forth the messages that are being demanded by millions, yet denied by an elite few. In addition to San Francisco, SOLUTIONS! will be presented throughout California, Nevada, Idaho, and Montana.

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CIO! at ATA's Right Window
September 1 – 30, 2011
992 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA

ATA Right Window, San Francisco, September 2011

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Harvest Moon: Buffet Flats

Tenderloin National Forest
curated by Seth Eisen | Eye Zen Art
September 8th - 30th, 2011

Spoken Word and Performance by: Juba Kalamka, K.M. Soehnlein, Jaime Cortez, Screamy-Marilyn Mc Neal and Carmen White, Emily Butterfly, Margit Galanter & Niki Ford, Seth Eisen, m.a. brooks.

Eco Experts: Markos Major, Joe Cannon, Price Sheppy

Foodie: Lisaruth Elliott/ Lovin’ from the Oven

Visual Artists: David Gremard Romero Honey McMoney Megan Wilson Eliza Barrios

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FRESH 1: Cutting Edge Illustrations - Object, pp. 258, 265
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: DAAB MEDIA (August 6, 2011)
Editor: Slanted
ISBN-13: 978-3942597067
Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.2 x 1 inches

FRESH 2: Cutting Edge Illustrations - Public, pp. 222-223
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: DAAB MEDIA (August 6, 2011)
Editor: Slanted
ISBN-13: 978-3942597050
Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.2 x 1 inches

About the books:
FRESH is a ground breaking collection of contemporary illustration from around the world, presenting a wide range of styles and techniques. Hundreds of successful projects from brand new faces to star illustrators are featured in this series of three books. By presenting such a broad spectrum of leading protagonists side by side makes FRESH an inspiring reading for professional illustrators, artists and anyone with a love for visual language. Cutting Edge Illustrations 3D explores Illustration in a sculptural or 3 dimensional environment as well as the art of illustrations applied on products as industrial or fashion design.

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Mural in Progress, Clarion Alley, San Francisco, June 2011

CAPITALISM IS OVER! If You Want It
Clarion Alley Mural Project
Between 17th & 18th and Mission and Valencia Streets
San Francisco, CA

Capitalism Is Over! If You Want It is an ongoing movement of interruptions/actions by artists from around the world in response to the need for a fundamental shift in our approach to Capitalism and the negative impact it has on the environment, health, and wellbeing of all. The status quo is not sustainable. The title of the project references John and Yoko’s “War is Over if You Want It” campaign of the late ’60′s – in the spirit that capitalism is our war of today. The title also reflects how these phenomena are based in our minds and rely on our buy-in to function. Capitalism is not a law of nature. Humans created the system, it no longer works for the majority of the world, and it can be replaced.

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CAPITALISM IS OVER! If You Want It
The Waffle Shop
124 South Highland Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
May 20 - June 7, 2011

Capitalism Is Over! If You Want It is an ongoing movement of interruptions/actions by artists from around the world in response to the need for a fundamental shift in our approach to Capitalism and the negative impact it has on the environment, health, and wellbeing of all. The status quo is not sustainable. The title of the project references John and Yoko’s “War is Over if You Want It” campaign of the late ’60′s – in the spirit that capitalism is our war of today. The title also reflects how these phenomena are based in our minds and rely on our buy-in to function. Capitalism is not a law of nature. Humans created the system, it no longer works for the majority of the world, and it can be replaced.

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Black Boots Ink: Pageantry, 2011; Red Lodge Drawing #4, gouache, quilling (paper craft), 22" x 30," 2011

Black Boots Ink
Issue 3: Pageantry
June 2011

Black Boots Ink is about the rituals of life in the pursuit of happiness — it is about all of us. Issue No. 3 Pageantry by 11 artists is a look at the grand displays; the pompa, the shows and flash of life that take place in the public/private world.

Black Boots Ink was founded in 2005 by Elena Carrasco and Emilio Bañuelos as a multi-voice, visual narrative about the rituals of life in the pursuit of happiness.

Issue 3: Pageantry featured my Red Lodge Drawings series.

BBI: Pageantry by Jennifer Ahn, Emilio Bañuelos, Santiago Bustamante Mujica, Elyse Butler, Juan Carlos, Elena Carrasco, David Flores Magon, Rory Hejtmanek, Irwin Lewis, Victor Prieto, Megan Wilson.
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Artadia Armory Party Featuring a Special Trading Card Benefit Sale
March 3, 2011

All Trading Cards are unique, original works and were created especially for this evening by the Artadia family of artists.* More than 90 participating artists, including: Tristan Al-Haddad / John Arndt / David Aylsworth / Hannah Barrett / JD Beltran / Gerry Bergstein / Phyllis Bramson / Nick Brown / Ambreen Butt / Victor Cartegena / Jeff Carter / Rosana Castrillo Diaz / Geoffrey Chadsey / Juan Angel Chavez / Xiaowei Chen / Howie Cherman / Caleb Cole / Don Cooper / Andy Cox / Santiago Cucullu / Jim Duignan / Felipe Dulzaides / Ruth Dusseault / Amy Ellingson / Daniel Fabian / Katy Fischer / Amy Franceschini / Dianna Frid /Jeanne Friscia / Francesca Fuchs / Theaster Gates / Raul Gonzalez / Eric Gottesman / Deva Graf / Angelina Gualdoni / Caroline Gundersdorf / Trenton Doyle Hancock / Fred Hayes / Rachel Hecker / David Hevel / Scott Hewicker / J Hill / Gisela Insuaste / Joe Ives / Diane E. Jacobs / Brian Kapernekas / Davis/ Langlois / Laura Lark / D'nell Larson / Mads Lynnerup / Kara Maria / Jane D. Marsching / Cecil McDonald / Barry McGee / Michael Jones McKean / Will Michels / Naomi Miller / Marilyn Minter / Katrina Moorhead / Floyd E. Newsum / Ramekon O'Arwisters / William J. O'Brien / Julia Oldham / Robyn O'Neil / Guy Overfelt / John Parot / Mary Patten / Kim Piotrowski / Nigel Poor / Casteneda/Reiman / Marko Remec / Brion Nuda Rosch / Martha Schlitt / Accra Shepp / Jerry Siegel / Allison Smith / Chris Sollars / Travis Somerville / Oriane Stender / Mary Ellen Strom / National Bitter Melon Council / Stephanie Syjuco / Nestor Topchy / Stephanie Toppin / Philip von Zweck / Larry Walker / Benji Whalen / Amy Wilson Faville / Megan Wilson / Joe Zane

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Private = Public, 25' x 14', acrylic, quilling (paper), pins, sequins, 2011

Private = Public
February 7 - March 18, 2011
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA
Reception: February 9, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
curated by Paul Bridenbaugh

Jet Martinez
Robert Ortbal
Johanna Poethig
William Wareham
John Wehrle
Megan Wilson