Elijah Peirce Biography

Elijah Pierce (1892-1984)

Elijah Pierce gained his reputation as a woodcarver while he was a preacher and made his living as a barber in Columbus, Ohio. Pierce was born in Mississippi and moved to Columbus in 1924. Elijah carved most of his life and after retiring in the late 1970’s carved full time. He was discovered in 1971 and was widely exhibited. He was part of the Corcoran’s ground-breaking show in 1982 “Black Folk Art in America: 1930- 1980.” Elijah was a prodigious carver preaching through his bas relief carvings. He also carved sports figures, animals, and allegorical pieces.