Mac Meek

Mac Meek (he/him) identifies as a visual minority artist. His design process uses natural materials and reflects traditional building techniques created by hand and fabricated in Fredericton, NB.

Mac was born in Calgary, AB and grew up on a farm where his grandfather showed him how to use a film camera to capture nature’s beauty. He moved to Toronto after high school and studied at Ryerson University, graduating in 2019 with a specialization in photography. During the pandemic he explored woodworking and was hired by Coolican and Company, which is a leading design team that produces hardwood furniture in both contemporary and traditional styles. Working as a studio assistant, he worked alongside a head designer undertaking basic tasks but towards the end of his time with C & C, he undertook more fabrication work that gave him a traditional foundation to create high quality wood furniture including Windsor chairs. He left Toronto and is currently studying applied arts at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD) and the University of New Brunswick (UNB).

He maintains a small studio where he designs and fabricates small to medium sized furniture. His design philosophy consists of nature following form – he chooses to preserve the aesthetic qualities of wood and uses sustainable methods to design pieces that have a strong composition.

Artist Statement

My multi discipline consist of wood working by hand and acrylic painting on cotton and canvas. When I think about my background in arts and crafts, it is mainly design focused with wood materials. I have been practicing this art form for the past 3 years and am currently studying at NBCCD/UNB. I find this practice most captivating as it allows me to begin a journey with nature and question the relationship between human interaction with species and space. I feel a strong connection between acrylic painting and wood working, they both have a calmness approach in the steps it takes to complete. As well as creating a series that leads one piece to another. This brings me great joy and feels like a space where I am modest.

Mac Meek