Interview: Meredith Fleischer, Founder & Director, The MF Gallery

A journey of transformation. A curation of fine art and street photography. A gallery space for moments to live forever.

It was a chance encounter over email. A wild shot in the dark when Meredith Fleischer, founder and direct The MF Gallery reached out to TheNeverPress to talk about some print work. It was a slight case of mistaken identity. Or at least a case of mistaken geographical location, as we are not based in Michigan, but instead in London. But what we lacked in geographical proximity, we made up for in shared artistic connection. We scoped out The MF Gallery and we were floored by the work on display - beautiful, dangerous and timeless moments captured on both digital and film and curated with care, precision and love. The work on display made us yearn for a place we have not been to, and to go back to a time we were not alive to experience. Our German speaking friends may call this feeling 'fernweh'. We call it vital. We had to know more so we side-stepped the mistaken identity snafu and got straight into it all with Meredith, and here it is...

Hi Meredith, let's start as we always do - at the beginning. May you please tell us about your journey with The MF Gallery so far.
With pleasure! The MF Gallery really grew out of a deeply personal place. After losing my partner — who was a musician — I stepped away from the photography world for nearly a decade. That period of isolation was difficult, but music remained a constant thread, quietly guiding me back to creativity, even when I wasn’t actively working in photography.

Around 2019, I began to feel the pull of that world again — the energy, the images, the conversations I had missed. When 2020 hit and I lost my job, I started a blog, drawing from the ‘library in my head’ of photographers I had loved, studied, and worked with over the years. What began as a personal archive gradually grew into something more intentional.

During that time, my rescue dog, Strummer, became a source of comfort and inspiration. His presence ultimately inspired the gallery’s Street Dogs collection, through which I donate 10% of print sales to the ASPCA.

As the blog evolved into a fine art photography gallery and print shop, I also held onto an idea that had stayed with me for years: if I found a music photography collection I truly loved, I would collaborate with the photographer and donate a portion of sales to MusiCares, in honor of my partner — an idea that finally came to life in 2025.

In many ways, The MF Gallery has become a bridge between photography, music, and healing; between artist and audience; and between story and emotion. It’s a space that celebrates the work and the people behind it, human and animal alike.

What is the ethos of The MF Gallery?
The MF Gallery exists to honor the integrity and vision of fine art photography, to celebrate the stories behind each image, and to create meaningful connections between artists, collectors, and the wider community. It values authenticity, emotional resonance, and the intersection of art with life — using creativity not just to showcase work, but to heal, inspire, and give back.

What draws you to a particular image or voice?
Style grabs your attention, but presence makes you stay. I’m drawn to images and voices that have a distinct point of view — something that resonates emotionally, tells a story, or lingers in your mind. It’s not just about technical skill or aesthetics; it’s about the way an image or voice carries intention, energy, and authenticity.

With social media and the ‘image-ifying’ of every moment of our lives, are we diluting the visual experience and medium of photography?
That’s a tough question, because I think it goes both ways — yes and no. Social media and the internet have definitely inundated us with images, and that constant stream can make it feel like visuals are everywhere. But I don’t think that diminishes the art of photography itself. Photography is a unique medium — it captures a frozen moment in time. The truth of an image can exist in the lens of the photographer or in the eye of the viewer. And ultimately, if a viewer resonates with a photograph, then the photographer has done their job.

Does a voice need to shout to be heard above the din, or can the quiet voice find its audience?
I believe it’s not volume that demands attention, but presence. A quiet voice, spoken with authenticity and conviction, can resonate far more deeply than noise alone. Presence carries weight,  it’s the subtle confidence, the care, the intention behind each word or image and it can be loud without speaking, drawing the right audience to listen, reflect, and connect.

What three things should a photographer struggling to get representation focus on?
1. Develop a strong, cohesive body of work. Consistency matters,  galleries and collectors want to see a clear vision, but it should also have enough variation to show range and creativity.
2. Be proactive about your own promotion and network. Even the best work won’t sell if you’re not actively engaged. Build relationships, share your work thoughtfully, and create opportunities rather than waiting for them.
3. Align with your values and voice. Don’t try to chase trends or what you think galleries want. Focus on the work that excites you, resonates with your perspective, and feels authentic, because that’s what will ultimately connect with the right audience and representation.

What challenges have you faced in setting up and establishing the gallery, and how have you navigated them?
One of the challenges of establishing The MF Gallery is that everything I do is organic — there’s no formula or shortcut. I’ve been intentional about building relationships with photographers who are genuinely interested in collaboration, rather than purely transactional interactions. That can be difficult because many of the artists I represent are not yet recognized names within the fine art photography world — their work won’t sell unless they are actively engaged in promoting it. A gallery can open doors and provide support, but the artist has to put in effort as well.

The photographer’s network is just as important as the gallery’s; my role as the gallery is to close the sale and create opportunities, but the artist has to actively engage their own audience to make a collaboration truly successful.

Another challenge is reaching a wider audience that truly aligns with the gallery’s vision. It’s not just about numbers or visibility — it’s about connecting with people who value the stories, the craft, and the emotional resonance behind the work. Navigating these challenges has required patience, persistence, and staying true to the gallery’s ethos: fostering meaningful connections rather than chasing quick wins.

How do you seek our artists to represent? What must they have that captures you?
When it comes to seeking artists to represent, I look for a balance between accomplished and emerging photographers. I’m drawn to work across a variety of genres — street/documentary, music, celebrity — and as we move into 2026, I’m returning to my roots in fashion photography. Beyond genre, I look for bodies of work that have both consistency and variation — pieces that demonstrate a clear vision but also show range and evolution.

In all honesty, I’m finally at a point where I don’t seek out too many photographers; they tend to find me. That said, for the upcoming fashion collection, I did actively seek out a photographer whose work aligned with my vision. I’m really excited to share this new collection in the coming year, which reflects both a return to my roots and the evolving direction of The MF Gallery.

Additionally, I’ve created a screening process for photographers, where they answer a select set of questions before I will even meet with them. This helps ensure they are aligned with the gallery’s goals and ethos, so that every collaboration is meaningful and intentional. 

Are you precise in your undertaking of creative projects, or do you dive straight in and see what happens?
When I have an idea, I usually just dive in and see where it takes me. Sometimes it doesn’t work out, and that becomes a valuable learning experience. Other times, it evolves into something completely different than I had imagined, but still meaningful and impactful. I think that openness, letting the process guide me, is a big part of how I create.

Have there been any moments of true doubt or insecurity in your journey and how did you overcome it?
Absolutely! I’ve definitely experienced moments of doubt and insecurity. Even with my education and training, my technical skills weren’t where they needed to be to break into commercial fashion photography right away. I had to navigate my way through both worlds — fashion and photography — to find my place. Eventually, I did, landing roles in powerhouse fashion photography agencies in New York City as an Art Director and Art Department team member.

When I left that world and returned to Detroit, I wasn’t sure how to use my skills in an environment that didn’t fully support those two art worlds. I even tried applying for teaching jobs and couldn’t land one. That’s when I realized I needed to create something of my own — and that’s how The MF Gallery was born.

Entrepreneurship wasn’t entirely new to me. In grad school, I created a small business called Vintage Rescue, where I hand-cut and re-designed vintage t-shirts, selling them door-to-door to retailers out of a duffle bag. I went on selling trips to New York and Miami; Britney Spears was my first celebrity client, and some of the t-shirts were even worn by the hosts of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Eventually, I grew the business to about 20 retailers across the U.S., Canada, and London, UK. That experience taught me the value of craft, persistence, and creating something people truly connect with.

When building The MF Gallery, I taught myself entirely new skills — from website design to SEO — learning how to navigate a modern art business. It became a space where I could bring together my experience, vision, and love for photography in a way that felt authentic, intentional, and deeply personal.

Your voice – was it there from the start, or is it an ongoing quest to discover and define it?
I think my voice has always been there, even if I didn’t fully recognize it at first. Even as a kid, I went against the grain. I was never popular, but I think there was a period when I did try to be, and it never felt right; it actually made things worse. Now, at 50, I’d say I’m still very much a  loner. I don’t let many people into my space — physically or mentally — but the relationships and connections I do have are real and intentional.

I typically wear all black and denim, I’d describe my style as a bit of indie/punk. I don’t wear makeup or dye my hair; in fact, I embrace my gray hairs, which people often say look like natural highlights. I’m grateful to have made it this far in life, and I’m genuinely excited for what the future holds.

From running Vintage Rescue in grad school, to working in fashion photography, to building The MF Gallery, my instinct has always been to create with intention and authenticity rather than follow trends. Over time, my voice has deepened. It carries the weight of experience, loss, resilience, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. It’s quieter than it used to be, but it’s stronger — the kind of presence that doesn’t need to shout, that resonates with the right people. 

With The MF Gallery, I’m not chasing a voice; I’m revealing it, layer by layer, through the work I create, the artists I represent, and the stories we share.

Has your art positively helped your mental health in any way?
Art has been the only consistent thing in my life since I was a kid. In high school, throughout undergrad and grad school, it was how I saw the world and the one thing I truly enjoyed spending my time on. It gave me perspective, focus, and a way to express myself.

After my partner died, I didn’t immediately turn to art for healing — I was in survival mode for about ten years. But later, reconnecting with creativity in a deeper, intentional way — through projects like The MF Gallery and curating work — became a profoundly meaningful part of my life and mental health.

How do you like to work?
I typically like to work alone, because I value focus and creative control. But when the right people are aligned, people who share the same vision and intention — I really enjoy collaboration. There’s something energizing about bringing complementary skills and perspectives together, especially when it leads to work that’s more thoughtful and impactful than any of us could achieve alone.

What advice would you give to anyone out there who is starting out on their creative journey
MF: My advice would be to always follow your gut. Your instincts are your best guide in your creative journey. Stay true to yourself, focus on what excites and inspires you, and don’t be afraid to take risks or do things differently. Patience is key, your voice and your style will continue to evolve over time.

Trust your instincts, and the right opportunities and connections will follow.

We're constantly on the look out for new artists, creatives and initiatives to feature in TheNeverZine - so if you are, or know someone who is going their own way and doing their own thing on their own terms and would be a good fit to feature please smash that button below and get in contact. By talking to each other, and sharing our journeys, ideas and insights on creativity, art, mental health and resilience we can all create, share and thrive together. Nice thought that.

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