Pearl is a writer, artist, and researcher. Currently, she is working on her cross-stitch embroidery and poetic writing, creating a body of work that gives symbolic form and shape to the outer, inner, and secret levels of nature and the mind. She is inspired by angelic presences, archetypal symbolism, wilderness landscapes, and Tibetan Buddhist cosmologies.
b. 1997
pearljacksonpayen@outlook.com
EDUCATION
The Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London: MA in Buddhist Art and Conservation, 2022-2023. Specialism in diasporic Kagyu Tibetan Buddhist garments, shrines, and landscapes. Recipient of a full tuition fee scholarship from The Brian Harris Trust.
The University of Iceland / Háskóli Íslands: ERASMUS study abroad, 2018. Specialism in Icelandic folklore.
The University of Bristol: BA (Hons) in Literature, 2017-2020. Specialism in eco-critical literature and philosophy, Bachelardian poetics of space and time.
Edinburgh College of Art: CertHE in Literature, Fine Art, & Art History, 2016.
HCA: Fine Art Foundation Diploma, 2015.
CV
2025
Self-directed writer’s retreat in Reykjavík, Iceland, working on upcoming novel ‘The Museum of Prophecies’.
Art Writer/Researcher for ACE-funded project, watercourse-way.info/.
Courtauld MA research forthcoming in academic journals: ‘Fragments of Sacred Raiment: The Numinous Garments of Lama Shenpen’ and ‘Endless Buddhas in their Endless Buddha Realms: A study of a domestic Tibetan Buddhist shrine in the Black Mountains region of the Anglo-Welsh border’.
Editor of Newar art book, ‘Bilaṃpau: The Narrative Art of Newar Scroll Paintings, with a case study of the journey of a Siṃhala Bilaṃpau from Banepā to Berlin’ by Sanyukta Shrestha.
Editor of Desk Publications poetry anthology, ‘We R All One We Always Win’ and novel ‘A Town Like This’ by Omar Majeed (manuscripts currently in preparation).
2024
Self-directed fieldwork in the Icelandic highlands for upcoming novel ‘The Museum of Prophecies’.
Screenwriter for an independent video game about 18th century France and St Thérèse of Lisieux, ‘My Sister the Saint’ (pilot scene) by Little Way Productions.
Textiles Artist / Relational Artist for Arts Council England funded project ‘Sign of the Underground’.
Artist in Residence at Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire.
Relational Artist for Arts Council England funded project ‘Digital Entanglement’.
Painter’s Assistant for Dolphin Women’s Centre wall painting commission, Ward End, Birmingham.
Editorial Research Assistant for the Courtauld Institute of Art.
2023
Self-directed fieldwork to Litli-Hrútur, Reykjanes, Iceland. Research for upcoming novel, ‘The Museum of Prophecies’.
Editor / Designer for Desk Publications novel, ‘Last Milkfloat Out of Dullsville‘ by Omar Majeed.
Courtauld MA 10,000 word thesis: ‘The Black Hat in the Black Mountains: A sacred Tibetan Buddhist landscape in the Black Mountains region of the Anglo-Welsh border’ (Distinction).
Literary Editor / Poet for The Courtauldian online.
Poet / Literary Editor for The Courtauldian print magazine, issue 29: ‘Through Each Chartered Street‘.
Relational Artist for Arts Council England funded project ‘We Foragers Unquiet’.
Postgraduate Researcher, UK Association for Buddhist Studies Conference, ‘Negotiating Boundaries’.
Courtauld research trip/fieldwork in Sri Lanka, examining ancient religious wall paintings, cave temples, and contemporary places of worship in-situ.
Courtauld MA research paper: ‘Fragments of Sacred Raiment: The Numinous Garments of Lama Shenpen’ (High Distinction).
Courtauld MA virtual exhibition: ‘An Altar of Offerings’ (High Distinction).
Featured Textiles Artist: Gilded/Edge/Zine 2023.
2022
Exhibiting Artist / Poet / Co-Curator / Event Organiser for The Courtauldian ‘Tongues in Trees’ issue 28 launch event and exhibition at Photobookcafe, Shoreditch.
Poet / Literary Editor for The Courtauldian magazine, issue 28: ‘Tongues in Trees‘.
Courtauld MA research paper: ‘Endless Buddhas in their endless Buddha realms: A study of a domestic Kagyu Buddhist shrine in the Black Mountains region of the Anglo-Welsh border’ (High Distinction).
Courtauld MA research paper: ‘Embodied dharma: The intangible oral expressions of Tibetan Buddhism in a contemporary heritage context’ (Distinction).
Exhibiting Artist, Senses Art Salon at Amp Studios, London.
Poet, International Glacier Society Newsletter.
Exhibiting Poet / Relational Artist for the International Symposium on Ice in a Sustainable Society (ISS) at BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change in Bilbao, Basque Country.
Artist / Editor: Ward End Park tree trail map and 24-page booklet, designed and hand-painted in Adobe Creative Cloud for Norton Hall, Dolphin Women’s Centre, and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
2021
Painter’s Assistant, Birmingham Museum’s Trust, ‘Our Changing Planet’ gallery.
Editorial Assistant for 3dtotal Publishing. Edited raw text and commissioned artists for various titles: ‘Art Fundamentals: Theory in Practice’, ‘Artist Master Series: Colour and Light’, ‘Beginner’s Guide to Creating Portraits’, ‘How to be a Successful Anime Artist’, ‘Sketching from the Imagination’, and ‘Character Design Collection: Fairy Tales and Folklore’.
2020
Undergraduate thesis, University of Bristol: ‘Joining with the oneiric earth: An exploration of the telluric stages of Michel Tournier’s Friday, or the Other Island.’
2018
Study abroad period in Reykjavík at The University of Iceland/Háskóli Íslands. Specialism in Icelandic Folklore, English Literature, and Medieval Chinese Literary Culture.
Icelandic Travel Writer for Travelade Reykjavík. Wrote and published weekly articles: ‘Hiking Fimmvörðuháls without a Guide in Two Days’, ‘Ásmundarsafn: Reykjavík’s Contemporary Sculpture Museum’, ‘Exploring Six Waterfalls in Iceland’, and ‘Exploring the Icelandic Highlands: Landmannalaugar’.
Featured Poet, Bristol Poetry Anthology.