BIOGRAPHY
Tom Pearman is a London-based public artist with extensive experience developing and delivering permanent commissions for the public realm. He works with developers, local authorities, public art commissioners and multidisciplinary design teams, taking projects from research and community engagement through detailed design, technical coordination, fabrication and installation.
He studied at Brighton University and the Royal College of Art, with further postgraduate study at Central Saint Martins.
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PUBLIC COMMISSIONS AND PROJECTS
2026
SOUND + VISION, Linmere Park, Houghton Regis
Commissioned public artwork for the Linmere development. A sculptural bandstand incorporating four graphic waveforms derived from sound. The project included community engagement with Thornhill School and The Chiltern School, detailed design, fabrication and installation. Commissioned by LIH.
Mindenhurst / Deepcut, Princess Royal Barracks, Surrey
Three public art commissions exploring the history, landscape and identity of Deepcut, including the Basingstoke Canal and the area’s military heritage. Commissioned by Skanska working with Surrey Heath County Council. Ongoing.
2025
Cambridge House, Wellesley Road, Croydon
Shortlisted proposal for a public art commission with Artelier Public Art Consultants.
Harrow View East, former Kodak factory, Harrow, London
Development of detailed public art designs for the L&Q Harrow View East development at Headstone Road, working with FrancisKnight Public Art Consultants. Ongoing.
2024
Harrow View East, former Kodak factory, Harrow, London
Public art strategy and concept designs for the redevelopment of the former Kodak site, working with FrancisKnight Public Art Consultants for L&Q.
Pool, Houghton Regis Leisure Centre
Public art commission for a sculptural bench celebrating the new leisure centre and its swimming pool.
195
Winner, Best Experimental Film, HORROR Underground Film & Screenplay Festival 2024. Collaboration with filmmaker and photographer Floro Azqueta.
2023
195, Hackney, London
Experimental film and sculptural installation made with Floro Azqueta exploring the former New Lansdowne Social Club at 195 Mare Street. Four fabricated machines incorporating laser-cut components, digital animation and monitors were installed and the film screened in the original basement location for Open House Festival 2023.
Moda, Hove Central
Shortlisted public art proposal for the Hove Station Quarter development, exploring the identity and shared public spaces of the new district.
Foxenden Quarry Play Area, Guildford
Public art commission for Guildford Borough Council incorporating bespoke sandblasted granite boulders referencing the Second World War Foxenden Quarry Deep Shelter.
2022
Aldi UK, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Bespoke public art seating and cycle stand commission.
Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire
Public art seating commission celebrating the local straw-plaiting industry for a key gateway into the Bidwell West development.
All Saints View
Public art commission developed in collaboration with artist Emily Tracy, exploring local cultural and historical connections and community identity.
Critical Bestiaries of AI: Reimagining Monsters
Shortlisted for the University of Oxford and IT University of Copenhagen public engagement project exploring AI governance, supported by TORCH and the Minderoo-Oxford Challenge Fund.
2021
Chatham Waterfront Pumping Station
Shortlisted public art commission for Medway Development Company as part of the regeneration of Chatham Waterfront.
E8 UFO, Hackney
Arts Council funded education programme involving 10 schools and approximately 600 pupils, exploring science fiction through film posters, book covers and fictional newspaper imagery.
2020
Large-scale vitreous enamel public artwork for Hat House, commissioned by Luton Culture Trust. The approximately 2 × 9 metre work creates the optical illusion of a three-dimensional hat pin intersecting the former Connor Hat Factory, celebrating Luton’s hat-making heritage.
Mill Road Depot, Cambridge
Public art commission for Cambridge Investment Partnership, developing site-specific artworks for the former depot site and new residential development.
2019
PEER Notices, Hoxton
Shortlisted for a collaborative programme working with PEER Ambassadors and local young people.
2018
Great Yarmouth Station / EXPO
Commissioned by originalprojects; a 60-metre artwork presenting a railway enthusiast’s photographic collection as part of Great Yarmouth EXPO.
Art on the Tideway
Collaborative 20-metre hoarding artwork for the Thames Tideway Tunnel project.
Tower Bridge Artist in Residence
Shortlisted.
Cultural Diversity Project, Harlow
Shortlisted public art commission.
2017
Croydon Public Art Commission
Large-scale 8 × 8 metre vitreous enamel wall artwork referencing Greater London rail and tram symbols, accompanied by 12 bespoke wayfinding signs for a Bellway Homes development.
Brunel Museum, London
Collaborative projected-light installation with Anne Krinsky for the Thames Tunnel Shaft, presented as part of Totally Thames Festival.
2016
Stotfold Community Hall and Council Offices, Bedfordshire
Public art commission for Central Bedfordshire Council incorporating vitreous enamel cladding and glazing across three elevations.
2015
Gayhurst Community School, Hackney
Collaborative wall-relief artworks exploring cultural identity, architecture and community through the game of Consequences.
Cleaner Air, Brockley
Series of vitreous enamel public artworks commissioned through the Mayor of London’s Air Quality Fund and installed at schools, a library, station café and public house.
2014
Ideas: People: Places, Holyhead, Wales
Community engagement programme commissioned by ArtReach as part of an Arts Council of Wales regeneration initiative.
Marshgate Primary School, Richmond
Artist residency and architectural window-design commission with Orleans House Gallery.
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Aylesbury
Architectural glass commission.
2013
Bootle Cemetery, Sefton
Public art commission producing 100 site markers celebrating the cemetery’s centenary.
Spinning Tops, Hackney
Participatory commission for Hackney Council involving the fabrication of spinning tops with members of the public using a record turntable.
2012
Barry Town Centre, Vale of Glamorgan
Large-scale vitreous enamel public artwork celebrating Leon Vint’s Electric Palace, an early twentieth-century cinema.
Guildford Public Art Scheme
Public art commission for Guildford Housing Association and Guildford Borough Council incorporating 26 metres of bespoke machined industrial-plastic panels.
2011
John Peel Centre for Creative Arts, Stowmarket
Architectural glass commission.
Burnham-on-Crouch Primary School, Essex
Artist and consultant for a capital-build programme integrating artwork into the redesign of the school.
Winter Garden Primary School
Integrated public artworks exploring openings, doorways and imagined journeys through industrial-plastic sculptures.
2010
Broomfield Hospital, Essex
Lead artist for the emergency floor of the new hospital, incorporating stained glass and custom laminate artworks.
2009
University of Ulster
Large-scale architectural glass commission for a three-metre-high café/bar curtain glazing system.
2008
Hull NHS Hospital
Design of display cabinets for a collection of historic scientific and medical instruments.
Logistik, Shoreditch, London
Winner of an open competition for a large-scale glass artwork for new offices.
2007
Chapel Street Regeneration, Salford
Public art signage, markers and features for the Trinity Link pedestrian route.
Bethlem Royal Hospital
Large-scale screen, lighting and external signage commission.
York NHS Hospital Cancer Care Centre
Lighting, sculpture and architectural glass commission.
2006
Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport
Architectural glass commission for the new Cardiac and Surgical Unit.
Ashington Sure Start, Northumberland
Shortlisted design proposal for a school perimeter artwork.
2005
Darwen NHS Hospital
Large-scale atrium architectural glass commission.
2004
Broomfield NHS Hospital, Essex
Site-specific large-scale screen-print commission, Phase 2.
Cannock Chase / Forestry Commission
Public-art seating commission for the Walk to Win arts and health project at Birches Valley.
2003
Leicester City Council / Leicester Housing Association
Public art and landscape commission incorporating seating, play and sports areas, vitreous enamel, concrete reliefs, furniture and mosaic. Included extensive community engagement with local residents and groups.
TTP, Cambridge
Site-specific architectural glass commission.
2002
Out of Sight, Hayward Gallery
Design of display furniture for touring exhibition.
Broomfield NHS Hospital, Essex
Large-scale site-specific screen-print commission.
Vodafone
Digital artwork commission for mobile phones.
2000
London Print Studio
Architectural glass commission for a 30-metre gallery façade, combining screen-printing and stained-glass processes.
1999
Antony Gormley Touring Exhibition, Hayward Gallery
Design of exhibition display tables.
House of Flora
Poster design in collaboration with Bruce McLean.
Lumina, Thames Festival of Discovery
Construction manager and design assistant for public artwork developed with Light & Technology.
1998
John Peel’s Meltdown, South Bank Centre
Design of recording booth.
Henry Moore Touring Exhibition, Hayward Gallery
Design of exhibition display tables.
Bruce Nauman Touring Exhibition, Hayward Gallery
Design of exhibition display tables.
Angela de la Cruz, Royal Festival Hall
Design of exhibition display tables.
1997
BBC Offices
Commissioned screen prints.
IKEA
Commissioned screen prints.
EXHIBITIONS
2023
195, Open House Festival, Hackney, London. Experimental film and installation with Floro Azqueta.
2013
Contemporary Glass Society, 4th Cutting Edge Showcase Exhibition.
Ornamental Status III, 5th Base Gallery, London.
2002
Nou Vitrall, architectural glass exhibition, Barcelona.
2000
Solo Print Exhibition, Capital Prints, London.
1999
Window Glass Print, Alphabet, London.
Furniture and Print, Oxo Tower Wharf, London.
Screen Print Installation, Mean Fiddler / Cube, London.
1998
Glass Print, Crowbar Gallery, London.
1997
Flowers East Box Set Exhibition, London.
Bruce McLean Large Print Exhibition, Ipswich.
CAD and Internet Touring Exhibition, London, Brighton and Edinburgh.
1996
Hydra, 333 Club Animation Exhibition, London.
The Raw Club, digital film presentation, London.
Fitzrovia Exhibition, London.
International Furniture Trade Fair, Earl’s Court, London.
Art & Technology Show, Mall Galleries, London.
AWARDS
2024
Best Experimental Film, HORROR Underground Film & Screenplay Festival, for 195.
2002
Artists’ Access Scheme, Central Saint Martins, Architectural Glass Department.
1996
British Art & Technology Design Show prize-winner.
1994
Bazil Alkazzi Travelling Scholarship.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2011
Glass at Central, Hildegard Pax.
2004
Glass and Print, Institute for International Research in Glass, A&C Black.
2003
Nou Vitrall, Larquitectes Tecnics de Barcelona.
2002
New Glass Review 23, Corning Museum of Glass, New York.
BROADCASTING
2002
BBC Radio Leicester interview relating to the Leicester City Council and Leicester Housing Association public art commission.