He received his M.A. from the University of Saskatchewan and his B.F.A. from the University of Victoria. Pearson is an interdisciplinary artist who works primarily in painting and video. He has been exhibiting internationally since 1983. His work in video includes experimental and documentary genres. He is also an author who has written for several art journals including Border Crossings and Sculpture Magazine. He is the recipient of the International Studio Award at P.S.1/MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) New York and the 1991 VIVA award. His most recent solo exhibition, entitled Turn Back, Detour, Go On, took place at Winsor Gallery in the fall of 2014. The paintings form a composite portrait of urban living in all of its beauty and mundanity as each scene captures the muted dramas that fill bars, cafes, city parks, architecture and landscapes.