Pearl Alcock facts for kids

Pearl Alcock (born in Jamaica in 1934 – died in London, England, in 2006) was a talented artist and a special club owner. She is best known as a British outsider artist. This means she created art without formal training.

Pearl Alcock's Life and Work

Pearl Alcock moved to the United Kingdom from Jamaica when she was 25 years old. She started a new life there.

Her Shops and Cafes in Brixton

When Pearl first arrived, she worked as a maid. By the 1970s, she opened a dress shop in Brixton, London. It was located at 103 Railton Road. Below her shop, she created a secret, unlicensed bar. This bar became a very popular place for many people in the local community.

After some difficult local events, fewer customers came to her shop. So, Pearl closed it. She then opened a cafe at 105 Railton Road. More tough times hit in 1985. The cafe even had to run by candlelight because the electricity was turned off.

Pearl Alcock's Art Journey

Pearl's art journey began in a simple way. She couldn't afford a birthday card for a friend. So, she decided to draw one herself. She soon realized she had a special talent for drawing.

Pearl said, "I went mad scribbling on anything I laid my hands on." Her friends loved what she created. They started bringing her art supplies to use. This is how her art career truly began.

By the late 1980s, more people started noticing her art. Her work was shown in several places. These included the 198 Gallery, the Almeida Theatre, and the Bloomsbury Theatre. In 1990, one of her artworks was even featured in the London Fire Brigade calendar.

Monika Kinley, a leading expert in Outsider Art, called Pearl a "visual poet." Pearl gained wider recognition in 2005. This was just a year before she passed away. Her art was shown at Tate Britain's first exhibition of Outsider Art.

In 2019, the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester held a special show just for Pearl Alcock's work. It was called a retrospective, meaning it looked back at her art over time.

Exhibitions Featuring Pearl Alcock

Pearl Alcock's art has been shown in many important exhibitions:

• 2022: COMING HOME - A retrospective of the work of Pearl Alcock, 198 Gallery
• 2019: Pearl Alcock, Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester
• 2005: Outsider Art, Tate Britain, London
• 1989: Three Brixton Artists: Pearl Alcock, George Kelly, Michael Ross, 198 Gallery, London
• 1989: Mood Paintings, 198 Gallery

A Welcoming Place in Brixton

Pearl Alcock's secret bar became a very important place in Brixton. It was a hub where many different people felt welcome. People from various backgrounds, both Black and White, gathered there.

One person who visited the bar remembered it being "always heaving." It was a space packed with people dancing. There was a bar selling drinks. It was a lively place where people could meet, dance, and be themselves. It was known for being a diverse and friendly spot in the community.

Pearl Alcock's Passing

Pearl Alcock passed away on May 7, 2006. She was 72 years old. At the time of her death, she was still living near Railton Street. She was also still creating her beautiful art. Many people attended her funeral to say goodbye.