by Jessica Mosby
– USA –
A middle-aged African American man climbs a ladder that he has precariously perched next to an enormous tree. His only source of light is his tractor’s small headlight. When he reaches the top of the ladder, he starts up his hand saw and goes to work on the tree, quickly transforming it from bushy foliage to an abstract work of art.
No, this is not a parody of the 1990 Johnny Depp film Edward Scissorhands. This is Pearl Fryar’s life – and the engaging subject of the new documentary, A Man Named Pearl. For 78 minutes directors/producers Scott Galloway and Brent Pierson lovingly capture Fryar’s spirit and artistry as a self-taught topiary artist who has overcome a lifetime of bigotry to become internationally respected. The film is currently in theatres and will be released on DVD in December.
In 1976 Fryar and his wife Metra moved to Bishopville, South Carolina. As the son of a North Carolina sharecropper, Fryar was no stranger to racism; when the Fryars attempted to buy a home in a predominantly white neighborhood, they were told they weren’t welcome because “Black people don’t keep up their yards.”
After buying a modest ranch style home on three barren acres in an African American neighborhood, Fryar – spurred by the negative stereotypes – started gardening. He would come home from his 12-hour shift at a local soda can factory and work on his garden until 1 a.m. As his obsession grew, his incredibly supportive and easy-going wife watched his plants blossom while wondering if he was “losing it.”
Today Fryar’s garden is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The mazes of abstract topiaries and looming trees shaped with mathematical precision could easily be compared to the great European gardens, namely Versailles. The 68 year old Fryar is not just a gardener, he is an artist. In the ultimate stroke of irony, Fryar’s magnificent garden has been become incredibly well known and respected, even appearing in the New York Times.
What makes Fryar’s work even more amazing is that he does not pay for a single plant. Instead, he frequents the local nursery to rummage through discarded plants that are left to die. He has never taken a horticulture class and is completely self-taught. According to Fryar, “I don’t go by the book.” Fryar’s self-training has actually been an asset because he is not held back by artistic conventions or expectations. He never sketches; he just visualizes shapes and then works until he achieves his vision of each living sculpture.
Over 5,000 people, many whom come with tours, visit Fryar’s garden for free every year. This prosperity is a sharp contrast to Bishopville’s main street – a few depressing blocks of empty storefronts. The garden is literally the only tourist attraction in agrarian Lee County, the poorest county in South Carolina. And yet Fryar is modest despite being the most famous person in a place that initially rejected him.
While his garden is stunning, Fryar himself is really the story. His ascent from bigotry and poverty to fame and prosperity is truly the American Dream. But the very fit and attractive Fryar is incredibly humble; instead of bragging about his accomplishments, he prefers to discuss his strong Christian faith and the inspiration he draws from legendary African American baseball player Jackie Robinson. Despite the full-time job of single-handedly maintaining his garden, he regularly lectures at colleges, in addition to mentoring kids.
Fryar is a perfect subject for a documentary, but at times, the film falters and feels like a shallow fan letter; the filmmakers devote too much time to interviewing friends and fans who basically add little depth to the film. Fryar’s dramatic back story, including his hardscrabble childhood, is merely glossed over.
Despite these shortcomings, A Man Named Pearl is a feel-good film about a person who used his passions and talents to overcome racial discrimination by creating something beautiful from nothing. The transformative nature of Fryar’s garden is a potent symbol of the intolerance he overcame – and a true testament to the power of hope and perseverance.
– Images courtesy of Shadow Distribution
About the Author
Jessica Mosby is a writer and critic living in San Francisco, California. In the rare moments when she’s not traveling across the United States for work, Jessica enjoys listening to public radio, buying organic food at local farmers markets, trolling junk stores, and collecting owl-themed tchotchke.
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