Pearson, Constantine present 'The Earth and Fire'

Renowned artist and ceramist Gene Pearson collaborates with Tony Constantine to unveil The Earth and Fire Exhibition at Art Gallery Decor VIII on Sunday, November 8, at 11:30 a.m.

Gene Pearson graduated from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in 1965 and taught at several high schools in Jamaica, including his alma mater. Stevie Wonder, singer/musician, Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California and actor, are a few of the persons who have included his work in their private collections. His work also adorns several of our local hotels. He has exhibited extensively both locally and internationally, including at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and UC Berkeley in Berkeley, California.

His work also appears on the Jamaican $1.40 stamp released on April 26, 1993, depicting 'Jamaica Ceramics' from the Hardingham Collection. On March 21, 2001 he was awarded the 'Hall of Fame' Award For Excellence in the field of Visual Arts, and in 2006 he was given the Order of Distinction for outstanding performance in the arts. In October 2010 he was awarded the Silver Musgrave Medal in Arts by the Institute of Jamaica.

Architect Byron Anthony Constantine, or 'Tony' Constantine as he is more familiarly known, first practised in Florida for a several years before returning home to Kingston, and since then many of the city's edifices have been stamped with his unique style.

In 2006, Constantine ventured into ceramics and pottery when he became Gene Pearson's protÈgÈ. He has managed to create a large catalogue of work, reimagining what was formerly just pots and vases.

From the organic to the architectural, his pieces depict a wide range of themes and juxtapose the past with the future.

Decor VIII is located at the former home of Dr Olive Lewin, currently owned by art lovers Hyacinth and Douglas McDonald, who decided to retain the cultural feel of the property through the art gallery which also hosts events that encompass culture in its various forms. The exhibition closes on November 21.