Artist Inspirations
A presentation by Tamoya Newman 4L
Ceramics
Caribbean Ceramic Artist
Gene Hendricks Pearson
Gene Hendricks Pearson (1946-2018) is a
Jamaican ceramicist.
Pearson took his inspiration from religion,
such as Rastafarianism (his own religion),
African spirituality and the Taino religion.
Stating himself that “My work is very spiritual.
All my powers come from God and nature and
I execute them through clay”
His work often depicts religious figures of
symbols, for example zemis and orishas.
Natty Dread (n/d) Goddess 1 (n/d) Orun (n/d)
10" W x 15" H x 13" D 5.75" W x 10" H x 4.25" D 20" H x 13" W x 8" D
Mountain Spirit (n/d) Zemi(n/d)
21" H x 11" W x 14" D 22" H x 9" W x 11" D
This piece was made with clay.
It is a simple ceramics piece with decorative carvings
under the eyes and going around to jawline.
This piece portrays the physical embodiment of Orun,
the realm of gods, ancestors and spirits, believed by the
Yoruba people.
The art style seems to take inspiration from ancient
african sculpture heads. The face has exaggerated
features, especially the nose, the eyes and the lips.
No colours are used.
Curled lines are used under the eyes while straight
diagonal lines are used on the jawline. The lines are
shaped in a way which resemble diamond and triangle.
The curved lines under the eyes could also be
interpreted as tears.
It is a simple and beautiful piece.
General Analysis of four (4)
Similarities | Differences
➢ All pieces are made of the same substances ➢ The pieces depict different religious figures
(clay) and identities, for example a rastafian man, a
➢ All pieces have the same religious focus spirit and god(s).
➢ All pieces depict faces. ➢ Different colours are used. Some consist of
➢ All pieces have the same art style and the same light tones while others are darker.
➢ The lighter pieces have carvings while the
features are exaggerated in each.
darker ones don’t.
The carvings are also on different spaces.
➢ The pieces also have different textures some
are smooth while some are rough. Goddess 1
texture even resembles that of gravel.
International Ceramic Artist
Julie Smeros
Julie Smeros is an Australian artist living and
working in Brisbane.
Smeros works principally with clay.
Ms.Smeros takes inspiration from ancient
Greek Myths. Her pieces frequently depict
women in greek mythology.
Platter IX (2020) Siren Bowl (2018) Figure Plate (2018)
33 x 33 x 3 cm 220mm in diameter, 35mm high. 22 × 22 × 3 cm
Pegasus Plate (2018) Eros Porcelain Platter (2018)
21 × 21 × 3 cm 23cm x 16.5cm x 1.5cm
This piece was made clay, cobalt pigment and glaze.
It is a plate or small dish with a decorative illustrative
in the centre.
This piece portrays a harpy playing a flute. A Harpy is
a creature from the greek.
This piece is depicted in the traditional Ancient Greek
Art style.
The art consists of two dimensional lines and shapes.
The blue lines are made in a beautiful blue pigment.
No other colour is used.
The artist also added dots and splashes of the pigment
going around the circumference of the plate.
The siren’s position in the painting and the contrast
between the plain white background and the blue
outline, creates an emphasis on the siren.
To me the piece is calming. The singular blue used on
the piece creates a feeling of simplicity.
It is a simple and beautiful piece and easily understood.
General Analysis of four (4)
Similarities | Differences
➢ All pieces are made of the same substances ➢ The pieces have different themes and depict
(clay) different myths.
➢ All pieces have the same theme of greek ➢ Different characters are portrayed, (Gods,
mythology. animals or both)
➢ All pieces have the same colours, a cobalt blue
outline is used for all depictions
➢ All pieces have the same art styles.
➢ All pieces have the a splatter pattern
somewhere in the piece.
➢ All pieces have the same simplistic design.
Bibliography
About. (2018, March 27). Julie Smeros. Retrieved October 14, 2022,
from https://juliesmeros.com/about/
Fromant, D. (n.d.). Home - maunsell wickes. Retrieved October 14, 2022,
from https://maunsellwickes.com/home/
Gene Pearson. (n.d.). Lovetts Gallery. Retrieved October 14, 2022,
from https://www.lovettsgallery.com/gene-pearson?page=1
Gene Pearson – Harlem Street Gallery. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2022,
from https://harlemstreetgallery.com/gene-hendricks-pearson/
Bibliography
Lori Austin Gallery -- Gene Pearson Sculptures. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2022,
from http://www.loriaustingallery.com/gene-pearson-sculptures.html
Odyssey Online: AFRICA/Ritual and Ceremony. (n.d.). Retrieved October 14, 2022,
from https://carlos.emory.edu/htdocs/ODYSSEY/AFRICA/AF_rit_cerem_gods_spirits.html
Onegirlstudio. (2016, December 18). Shop. One Girl Studio. Retrieved October 14, 2022,
from https://onegirlstudio.com.au/shop/
