Visu Contemporary Blake Pearson shares his gallery’s tantalizing trajectory.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID LACHAPELLE
Over four decades, David LaChapelle established a name for his hyper-real and iconoclastic photographs. Visu Contemporary co-owners Blake Pearson and Dr. Bruce Halpryn enticed LaChapelle to hold his first Miami Beach exhibition at their gallery. Pearson opened Visu Contemporary adjacent to The Bass Museum of Art a year ago, a project actualizing his 20-year-long investment in Visu Artists, which focuses on connecting artists with commercial opportunities via brands and agencies. A former art and photography student, Pearson’s love of contemporary art merges with ambitions to grow artists’ careers through programming and collaboration, and in 2023, he invited Dr. Halpryn to partner with Visu Contemporary. Miami Magazine speaks to Pearson about his valiant ambitions.
What distinguishes Visu Contemporary’s program?
Visu Contemporary shows established and emerging artists from various backgrounds, cultures and perspectives who push the limits of art and creativity. We love painting, sculpture, photography, digital art and performance, which makes for a dynamic and evolving program. We support artists through exhibitions, talks and networking within the art community. The gallery is a giant stretch toward a dream, and from the beginning, it has seemed like a mission from God, in that Blues Brothers kind of way.
PORTRAIT COURTESY OF VISU CONTEMPORARY Blake Pearson
What does shared ownership mean for the gallery?
My business partner, Dr. Bruce Halpryn, has been a collector and supporter of the arts for over 40 years. He was Board President of the art biannual FotoFocus and is a shareholder of the Cincinnati Art Museum where he spearheads its Friends of Photography. His participation strengthens our ability to bring incredible art to Miami Beach year-round.
What was the reception to David La Chapelle’s work?
Astounding! Nearly 600 visitors came through the gallery between our VIP events and opening night, and hundreds attended our two artist talks with David. People flew in from New York, L.A. and even Wisconsin!
David LaChapelle, The House At The End Of The World, (2005), 40 x 60 in., pigment print. ARTWORK COURTESY OF DAVID LACHAPELLE
Any upcoming highlights?
On Saturday, April 6th, we open an exhibit with the well-known sculptor Al Farrow. Thousands of pounds of artworks are coming straight to our gallery from an Oregon museum exhibition.