Graphic Conjectures

In spite of his strident individualism and idiosyncratic values, which have provided a source of motivation throughout his career, his uniquely expressive and insightful work has brought him well-deserved attention and acclaim.

As with many Expressionist artists, the metaphysical and the intangible are important subjects for Pearson. The articulation of complex, esoteric ideas through painting is central to his practice. Incorporating both figurative and abstract works, Pearson’s paintings may be seen as the crystallisation of a soul whom biographer Denys Trussell describes as “restless, questing, Faustian”. The end result is a symphonic representation of the human condition where passions, fears and feelings are evoked in each brushstroke.

It is unsurprising that Pearson’s paintings evoke the grandeur and complexity of a symphony, given the great value placed on music by the artist. The epic scale and drama of opera, in particular, seem to motivate his richly detailed, monumental abstract works. The painted surface can be read as a literal evocation of music, dance and rhythm in the way paint is applied in bold over-lapping strokes, sometimes grid-like and sometimes free and expressive, but always with an underlying sense of tempo. Like music, Pearson’s forms retain shape for an instant, but are under a state of perpetual transformation. In this way the expressionist painter conjures traces of meaning, in a sequence of bravuristic colours, movements and impressions.

Alongside his Abstract Expressionist works, Pearson has created portraiture throughout his career in a similarly expressive style. He approaches these paintings with the same depth of feeling and emotional insight as with his abstract works; they are poignant expressions of individual personalities. His technical mastery enables him to communicate a great deal through his painting with brushwork, colour, setting and composition all adjusted to heighten the individuality of each subject. This deliberate individualism creates emotional complexity, with great focus placed on the expression of the inner life of the subject; the paintings represent the sitter’s psyche, rather than merely their physical characteristics.

Throughout his career and across his different subjects, Pearson has remained committed to the depiction of the metaphysical, using his own circumstance and psyche as the prime motivator in his work. His sincerity, understanding and openness create an intensity of emotion, a surfeit of energy and a density of ideas that few other artists are capable of expressing.

This pursuit of self-expression has fuelled Pearson and seen him achieve great acclaim. He is represented in many important public and private collections and is the subject of several publications. Ultimately, he is celebrated for his willingness to confront critical issues in his art—mortality, anxiety, love—with an unrivalled confidence, intellect and technical mastery.