Bob Pejman

Bob Pejman (born December 27,1963) is a Persian-American artist/painter

Early Age

Bob Pejman aka Babak Pejman is the son of the Persian composer Ahmad Pejman. He spent his early childhood in Vienna, and then by way of England moved to the United States in 1976. Pejman began painting by the age of seven and pursued his art education through high school. However, despite his art instructor's insistence for him to pursue an education and career in art, Pejman decided to enter the field of business management. Upon graduating from Rutgers University and after numerous years of employment at software companies such as Ceridian, Pejman secured a position as Vice President of Marketing at Information Resources Inc aka IRI, a global market research company. It was not until 1988 , when Pejman decided to return to the art world by opening up an art gallery in Short Hills, NJ called Pejman Gallery Inc. As a result of his direct exposure to fine art and contact with European masters whom he was representing at the gallery, he decided to start painting again. In 1991 he began his two year formal studies with the Russian artist, Anatoly Ivanov. Later he attended the Art Students League of New York as well as furthering his studies with the contemporary Impressionist artist, Ovanes Berberian. Among his art instructors, Ivanov influenced Pejman the most by inspiring him to use the techniques of old masters such as Michelangelo and Rafael. Employing these techniques, Pejman blends them with impressionistic colors to achieve a classical but yet contemporary style.

Artistic Style and Influences

Pejman's style from the late 1980s onward can be characterized as Romantic Realism, which is a type of Classical Realism. As described by Sarah Seamark, senior editor of Art World News in an article on Bob Pejman that was published in the November 2004 issue of the magazine, "Inspiration for his style, that likens to romantic realism, comes from the Hudson River School, the classic landscapes of Thomas Cole and Frederick Church, the utopias of Maxfield Parish, and above all, from the Victorian artist Laurens Alma-Tadema, known for his theatrical paintings of Roman ruins. While the influence of these masters is evident in Pejman’s works, it is through his unique arrangement and depiction of the subject matters that he achieves a distinctive style. It is the effect of beauty and solitude together that creates this romantic mood that Pejman wishes to offer collectors of his work."

Pejman's style has also been likened to thearical set designs by many art critics. This design element together with his combination of classical painting style and use of contemporary colors make Pejman's works unique and notable in the school of Classical Realism. Art critic Eileen Watkins, in her review of a Pejman Exhibition in The Newark Star Ledger that was published in October 27, 1995 stated, "Many of these works resemble theatrical sets, with the nearer elements framing dramatic vistas." In describing one of Pejman's works, she goes on to say, ""Spring Time in Persepolis" features a ruined temple, its gray stone columns and walls carved with animals and soldiers. A slab in the foreground, however, displays spring flowers in a cracked vase, lush, dewy fruit and a colorful bird - the meticulous details suggest a 17th Century Dutch still life, but without the gloomy lighting." In a review and interview published in the March 1997 issue of Heritage Magazine, art critic & contributing writer Anna Ahkami describes Bob Pejman's style as, "Blending realism, impressionism and fantasy, Bob Pejman's paintings offer a modern look at the ancient ruins of the Mediterranean and Middle East. Fragments of stone temples, majestic villas and overgrown gardens, some of which no longer exist, are painted in direct, clear-cut detail. Pejman relies upon his vivid imagination to rebuild these relics showing the impact centuries of wind, nature and man's own destruction have had upon them. Using bright, contemporary luminescent colors viewers are welcomed into such lush yet forgotten places as Persepolis, Babylon and Pompeii."

National Publication Reviews & Articles:

Art World News - May 2004 article by Sarah Seamark (senior editor, Art World News)

Art Business News - April 2002 article by Audrey S. Chapman The Artist's Magazine - July 1998 article by Debbie Hagan

Newark Star Ledger - Friday, October 27, 1995 review of one man exhibition by Eileen Watkins (art critic, Newark Star Ledger)

Exhibitions

2006 Sargent's Fine Art, Lahaina, HI; 2006 American Visions Fine Art, Folsom, CA; 2006 Northridge Gallery, Nortridge, CA; 2005 Sargent's Fine Art, Lahaina, HI; 2005 North Star Gallery, Freehold, NJ; 2005 American Visions Gallery, Folsom, CA; 2005 Oaks Gallery, Thousand Oaks, CA; 2005 Sargent's Fine Art, Lahaina, HI; 2004 Kayne Art Galleris of Georgia, Altanta, GA; 2004 American Visions Gallery, Folsom, CA; 2004 Art Expo New York; 2004 Sargent's Fine Art, Maui, HI; 2003 Kayne Fine Art Galleries, Altanta, GA; 2003 American Visions Gallery, Folsom, CA; 2003 Sargent's Fine Art, Kaanapali & Lahaina, Maui, HI; 2002 Kayne Art Galleries of Georgia, Atlanta, GA; 2002 Art Expo, New York, NY; 2001 Sargent's Fine Art, Maui, HI; 2001 Art Expo, New York, NY; 2001 Kayne Galleries, Atlanta, GA; 2000 Art Expo, New York, NY; 1999 Gallery 5, Palm Beach, NY; 1998 Gallery 5, Soho, New York; 1998 Art Expo, New York, NY; 1997 Art Expo, New York, NY; 1996 Art Miami, Miami, FL; 1996 Art Expo, New York, NY; 1994 Art Expo, New York, NY; 1993 Art Expo, New York, NY

Copyrighted and Published Pieces Listed in Order of Year Publication in the United States

Springtime in New York (2007), Morning Reflections (2006),Lakeside Vineyard (2006),The Niche in Tuscany (2006),Varenna Reflections (2005),Santorini Villa (2004),Bellagio Village (2003),Passage to San Marco (2002),Lake Como Villa (2001),Bellagio Memories (2000),Rendezvous in Venice (1999),Afternoon in Venice (1998),Terrace in Bellagio (1997),Tuscany Window I & II (1997),Tuscany Village (1997),Green Door in Capri (1997),Capri Terrace (1997),Villa in Capri (1996),Apollo & Daphne (1995),Afternoon Tea at Vizcaya (1994),Solitude (1995)

References

* [http://www.folsomtelegraph.com/detail/83907.html Folsom Telegraph]
* [http://www.mmdnewswire.com/world-renowned-artist-bob-pejmnwill-to-mke-rre-persl-appernce-720-2.html Mass Media Distribution Newswire]

External links

* [http://www.pejmaneditions.com/ Artist website]