Images courtesy of the artist and Pearl Lam Galleries
March 2025—Pearl Lam Galleries is pleased to announce its representation in Asia of Santa Monica-based British/American painter Damian Elwes.
Renowned for his vivid paintings that reconstruct the studios of art history’s greats, Elwes brings these legendary spaces to life, offering a rare glimpse into the environments where masterpieces were created. His work, celebrated for its meticulous research and imaginative interpretation, is in the collection of leading institutions, such as the Marciano Art Foundation, Fubon Art Foundation and MuséeDelacroix. Elwes’ bright and evocative paintings bring viewers into the creative process, offering a window into the artist’s world.
Elwes was born in London, England, into a family with a rich artistic heritage. Both his father and grandfather were accomplished portrait painters, and as a child, he loved spending time in their studios. He was captivated by the creative process he witnessed, the transformation of blank canvases into lifelike portraits, the smell of oils and turpentine, and the organised chaos that seemed to fuel their artistic vision. These early experiences ignited his passion for art and left a lasting impression on his own artistic journey.
After studying Literature at Harvard, Damian Elwes was introduced to art-world icons like David Hockney, Andy Warhol, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, but it was Keith Haring who encouraged him to pick up a paintbrush. Rather than enrolling in art school, Elwes took an unconventional path. He spent two years in Paris, searching for artist studios and asking if he could paint their workspaces. “They’d let me sit quietly in a corner,” he recalls. “I could barely speak French, so everything I knew about those artists came from studying their belongings and how they placed them.” Painting artists’ studios became a way of learning from these creative masters, a practice that continues to define his work today.
“If I am fascinated by a sculpture by Giacometti and wish to understand it better,” Elwes says, “then I make a painting of it in his studio while it was being created.” What began as a method of learning evolved into a body of visually and conceptually compelling work, which furthers our understanding of the unique and personal environments where some of the world’s most iconic artworks were made.
In an era when headlines are often dominated by conflict and political turmoil, Elwes chooses instead to highlight the enduring power of human creativity. He uses the artist’s studio as a metaphor for the imagination and ingenuity that thrive globally each day. Elwes travels extensively, locating the physical studios of the artists who intrigue him. Often, the current occupants are unaware of the masterpieces that were created in their homes or apartments.
He meticulously studies the architectural elements that remain unchanged over time: the windows, floors, walls, and the quality of light. Historical accuracy is crucial to Elwes; however, imagination plays an equally vital role in his work, transforming these spaces into vibrant portals of creative energy. “For me, each studio is an adventure into a different world. Often, I discover things about an artist that cannot be found in books,” he explains.
Pearl Lam, Founder of Pearl Lam Galleries says, “We are pleased to announce the opening of Damian Elwes’s solo exhibition at Pearl Lam Galleries in Hong Kong in 2026. His vibrant and immersive paintings of artist studios—ranging from Basquiat’s 1983 Crosby Street workspace to Picasso’s creative sanctuaries—offer a fascinating look into the spaces where masterpieces were born, showcasing his connection to their legacies. Elwes’s artworks also spark dialogue about conceptual art. While definitions vary, all art is rooted in concept. His revisionist approach positions him as a partial conceptual artist, emphasising artists as unique individuals outside linear narratives of art history. His work resonates with a movement that challenges the commercialisation of art, focusing on thought processes over finished products. Also, many conceptual artists address socio-political issues, reflecting broader societal discontent. Elwes’s exploration of these themes serves as a powerful reminder of creativity’s importance in challenging times. We look forward to sharing his journey with collectors across Asia.”
