Stuart Pearson Wright

English portrait artist

Stuart Pearson Wright (born 1975) is an English portrait artist, winner of the BP Portrait Award.

Early life and education

Stuart Pearce Wright was born in 1975, and went to school in Eastbourne, Sussex^[1] and graduated from Slade School of Fine Art,^[2] University College of London (1995–1999), receiving a B.A. in Fine Art.^{[citation needed]}

Career

When Wright was 25 the National Portrait Gallery acquired his painting of the actor John Hurt.^[1] The NPG also holds a pencil drawing of actress Parminder Nagra created by him in 2004.^[3]

An exhibition of his work entitled Halfboy was on show at The Heong Gallery of Downing College, Cambridge from 2 November 2018 to 6 February 2019.^[4]

Awards

Wright won the BP Travel Prize in 1998.^[5]

In 2001 he won the BP Portrait Award with his painting of six presidents of the National Academy. It was described as "astounding", showing the men surrounding a dead chicken.^[5] As part of his prize he was commissioned to paint author J K Rowling, and that painting is part of the National Collection.

Wright won the Garrick/Milne Prize^[2] in 2005.

Personal life

Pearson-Wright was conceived by artificial insemination, and does not know his father.^[1]

He is married and has a son.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Lucasta Miller (20 May 2006). "Enigma of arrival". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
^ ^a ^b Stuart Pearson Wright (1975-), Artist
^ "Parminder Nagra". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
^ Downing College website, http://www.dow.cam.ac.uk/cultural-life/heong-gallery/upcoming-exhibitions/halfboy-stuart-pearson-wright
^ ^a ^b Maev Kennedy (20 June 2001). "BP prize for old flesh and fowl art". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
^ Jessica Salter (29 November 2013). "Stuart Pearson Wright on Elvis, Keira Knightley and fatherhood". The Telegraph. Retrieved 10 February 2014.