Jonathan Greenland, Contributor
'Black Woman's Head'
GENE HENDRICKS Pearson is a Jamaican artist living and working in Kingston. His work, 'Tribute to Baugh', is currently on show at the National Gallery in the exhibition 'Clay and Fire: Ceramic Art in Jamaica'.
Here he discusses his work with Dr. Jonathan Greenland of the National Gallery of Jamaica.
Jonathan Greenland: What is your greatest artistic influence?
Gene Pearson: My greatest artistic influence comes from Africa, including Egypt which I don't think is part of Africa. But I was also influenced by the European artists Salvador Dali, Picasso and Rodin.
JG: What do you mean by African influence?
GP: I am inspired by the ancestral spirits. But the form of the work is mine. The earth speaks through me. My artistic studies began in wood carving because, during the 1950s and 1960s, the main shopping area for art was in Haiti and Mexico and they specialised in wood carving. I started out in 1960 when the Art School was at 11 North Street. Attention was focused on European art as the British were here at the time. My first teachers were British. Then, when Independence came, things changed. There was so much passion coming out after the end of colonialism. You had to see the pride on the street! I was part of that. Graduation was brought into the School of Art and a new four year course was introduced.
JG: Why clay?
GP: For me being a sculptor was natural. I came from the country, so clay was a very familiar and natural material to me. I would go and see my father working on his farm and I would take a little of the clay from the ground and work it. They called me 'Nature Boy'. So, I believe that is why I am who I am today.
I started out as a potter with Mr. Baugh. My piece in the Clay and Fire exhibition 'Tribute to Baugh' is exactly that: a tribute to a man who shared his life with a great many people. I graduated from the Art School in 1965. I then taught there for 12 years. After that I decided to explore abroad and my path led me to California and Hollywood, which blew my mind.
JG: What do you think of Jamaican art scene?
GP: I feel the art of Jamaica is very vibrant and when people come from abroad they are surprised to see that some of the best artists in the world not only work in Jamaica but are also Jamaicans. There is a stagnant air at the moment because many of the new artists are just scratching the surface. There is nothing deep about their work. Some use the ideas of other artists. That is okay to begin with, but not to continue. I feel this is true right across the board. There is a lack of passion for what they believe or what can be created. There has to be passion. There are just a few people who have passion.
JG: You remind me that students are often the agents of great social change.
GP: I mean specifically in terms of art. The art scene is in a wonderful position, but it can be greatly improved by adding these three things: passion for paint, passion of life and passion of oneself.
JG: What has been your greatest moment of artistic achievement?
GP: The respect that I get from people who know my work. I am a self-styled Individual. Being able to do what I want to do: to travel abroad to various countries, to show my work. I carve a road for myself to walk. There are a lot of people who appreciate what I do. I give thanks for their belief in my work for it to continue. They are an inspiration.
JG: What is your favourite work of Jamaican art?
GP: I don't have a favourite but I like the work of George Rodney, Christopher Gonzalez, Eugene Hyde, Cecil Cooper, Karl Parboosingh, Osmond Watson, Eric Cadien, Koffi Kayega, Leonard Ferguson and Cecil Baugh.
JG: Where is your favourite place in Jamaica?
GP: That would be my work studio.
JG: Matisse or Picasso?
GP: Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali have been influential in my work but these are just two of my favourite artists.
JG: What animal comes to your mind?
GP: A Lion. When I'm here in the hills I'm a lion. When I'm in California I'm a bird.
JG: Where do you see your work in five years?
GP: I had my first exhibition in 1978. I have been showing my work for the last 24 years in California and Jamaica. My work can only move forward.
Gene Pearson's work is currently on display in Clay and Fire: Ceramic Art in Jamaica at The National Gallery of Jamaica. Clay and Fire runs until November 5. Please call 922 1561 for more details or email us at natgalja@cwjamaica.com.
