Perception is awareness, comprehension or an understanding of something.

Picture this scene: You are out with friends having an interesting and lively conversation and just as you are about to make your point your friend receives a phone call and begins a lengthy conversation with the person on the other end or someone decides to text another party during your conversation. This is a common scene in today’s social media driven society.

I paint people as portraits and figures and my work embraces the concept of social realism by drawing attention to everyday conditions and situations. The scene above describes an example of my perception based on personal observation.

The use of social media has greatly expanded global communication. Texting, tweeting and e-mailing allow for instant real time electronic communication anywhere in the world.

However, there appears to be a wide disconnect when social media is used during what seems to be an intimate social setting.

My perception is that there is a dichotomy between the unifying element of social media and it’s tendency to disengage us from our immediate environment.

I believe in the power of art to provoke and expand society’s re-imagination. I see my role as an artist as both observer and activist. I watch what’s going on around me, internalize and mix it with my own creative interpretation and reflect it back to society.

The foundation of my training was attained at the Art Students League of New York, a school that teaches traditional drawing and painting.

Joseph A.Pearson is a resident artist at the pink dog creative in the river Arts district.348 Depot street site. 120. visit josephart.net or e-mail pearson@josephart.net