Pie Herring is a British figurative artist whose work delves into themes of identity, culture, and human connection. She graduated from The Edinburgh College of Art in 2018 with a BA (Hons) in Painting. The following year, her degree show earned her the Carnegie Scholarship at the RSA's New Contemporaries Exhibition. Since then, she has exhibited and taken part in artist residencies internationally, with shows in London, New York, Marrakech, Nairobi, and Ghana.

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A travelling artist, Pie spends extended periods away from her UK studio, immersing herself in diverse communities and cultural projects. Through engagement with local people and initiatives, she uncovers compelling narratives that shape her ever-evolving portfolio. Her paintings celebrate tradition, heritage, and community, serving as a testament to the transformative power of cultural exchange - both artistically and personally.

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With an anthropological lens, Pie’s work documents and honours human stories in an era of rapid change. Her creative process, which often involves direct collaboration with her subjects, has captivated a wide audience on Instagram. Her videos, showcasing meaningful interactions and the raw emotional responses of her sitters seeing their portraits for the first time, have helped solidify her reputation as an artist engaged with storytelling and cultural appreciation.

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By collecting Pie’s work, patrons directly contribute to the communities that inspire it. Her art has become a tool for reinvestment, with proceeds supporting local initiatives, craftsmanship, and heritage preservation. Whether through funding community-driven projects or commissioning work from artisans, Pie ensures that the cultural exchange at the heart of her practice extends beyond the canvas, creating a tangible impact on the people and traditions she encounters.

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Recent & Upcoming Projects

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In 2024, Pie completed a year-long residency in Ghana, culminating in a nearly sold-out solo exhibition in Mayfair, London, in February 2025. Later in 2024, she was an Artist in Residence on Chale Island, Kenya, where she immersed herself in the lives of the local fishing community. She spent time learning about their traditions, challenges, and the vital role of the Ngalawa—a traditional East African outrigger canoe that has sustained generations of fishermen.

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Inspired by this experience, Pie sought a way to use art to support the preservation of the Ngalawa—not just as a cultural relic, but as a working vessel crucial to the community’s future. The success of her Kenyan exhibition enabled her to commission the construction of a new Ngalawa, built by local craftsmen.

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This boat will not only preserve a vital piece of maritime heritage but will also create sustainable, full-time jobs by employing a dedicated crew to operate it. The entire profit generated from the Ngalawa’s activities—guided fishing trips, sunset cruises, and snorkeling excursions—will be reinvested directly into the local community. These funds will support essential initiatives in Makongeni, including a project focused on empowering women in mangrove conservation.

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To honor the cultural significance of this vessel, Pie will hand-paint its sail, transforming it into a moving artwork that tells the story of Kenya’s coastline and its people. Once completed, this will be the largest Ngalawa along the Diani coast, offering a truly unique experience for those who set sail on it.