Peter Max, the internationally recognized pop artist, is known for some of the most vibrant and thought-provoking art in the world.
Peter Max, the internationally recognized pop artist, is known for some of the most vibrant and thought-provoking art in the world. He has been the creative mind behind portraits of six US presidents, the official artist for The World Series, The U.S Open, The NYC Marathon, The Indy 500, and the 1994 World Cup, just to name a few of his accomplishments. And this week, he’ll have a solo exhibition of his art at Carytown’s Chasen Galleries opening this Friday.
When I sat down last Friday afternoon to speak with Max, I was nervous and excited about getting the opportunity to speak to such an influential artist and human being. Max has been creating art since the 1950’s and has made astute observations on many key elements in our culture and history–who was I to throw questions at a living legend of the visual arts community? But he helped ease my stress; as the interview began, Max said, “Let’s talk sweetie, How are you?” From there, he welcome my questions and the conversation flowed with ease.
What sparked your interest in art?
Well I don’t know if you know this, but I grew up in Shanghai, China. I’m not Chinese, but my parents are European so we went to China and that’s where I was raised. I spent the first 10 years of my life in Shanghai and I still remember today, many years ago now, where the children outside, they always used to draw on the cement floor with colorful chalks and next thing I knew my mother bought me those chalks and my whole youth from the age from two/three all the way ‘til I was ten. Everywhere we lived my parents got me to go to art classes. Before I knew, it became a habit for my family to send me to art classes, never thinking that art would be a profession for me.
What were your interests?
I was always interested in astronomy. But then when I came to America, when I was 16, I was in high school and I was in an art school, and I met a friend there and he was going to art school too and he was taking art class after high school so my mother told me go with him if you feel like it. Still thinking I was going to be an engineer or getting into astronomy.
All of a sudden it hit me, I got the bug, and all I wanted to do was do art. My father said to my mother, ‘how is he going to make a living as an artist,’ you know what I mean? Then I became really good in class, having drawn and painted my whole life. About 22 and 3-4 years of art school, I was still going to school, but trying to do projects on the outside and I started getting awards and I got so many awards, it was unbelievable.
So I opened a studio with a friend of mine, a sweet boy, his name was Tom Daly and he was in my art class and we used to have a studio together, and we won awards and won awards and it was just unbelievable. Suddenly I became, like, extremely famous and I thought I am like one of the most famous artists in the world and tell to tell you the truth I look around and it’s just so hard to believe. I’m still this little boy in China!
Where do you find your inspiration?
It comes in different ways, but the most important thing is I have this urge to be creative, not so much to draw, just to be creative, to come up with ideas. Then I draw them. Then I have a full-time DJ now that I’m mature and a big studio with many people. I have a full-tim DJ who just plays the music I love, so I enjoy painting to the music. Every weekend, maybe out of 52 weeks, 46 weeks I travel to different cities to art shows. Hundreds and thousands of people, and I’m really blessed.
I imagine you have a process when doing your art. Can you describe it?
It’s a lot, it’s where I walk, how I walk when I leave my house. The stuff that interests me, I’m very interested in composition, in music in art, it’s my taste level, it’s hard to describe from minute to minute and day-to-day.
Do you feel your association with the progressive youth culture of the 60s was coincidental?
It’s all coincidental. When you live in a country like ours, interesting things happen you know the rock music happened. I was interested in Woodstock, music, youth culture, space, outer space, and astronomy. All of these things resulted it all made me who I am today.
Do you feel your art has evolved?
Yes it has, everyone’s art evolves. My art evolves in a very unique way; I’m not saying other people’s art doesn’t but mine does. It evolves, it evolves, it’s tremendous, and it still is evolving.
How do you feel you’re art has evolved?
It’s hard to tell. You have to look at style, hard to describe it. My usage of colors, my brush strokes, my composition, the subjects, it all works together.
You’re art consists of vibrant colors and mixed media. What made you want to mix the two?
Well it is all a part of art. When you’re an artist, it’s all about imagination, it’s drawing, it’s painting, it’s colors, its fashion, its creativity. It’s not so much about an artist drawing or painting its creativity. Like right now I have a huge urge to make animation, I want to do animation films, and I am going to do good ones.
What kind of animation films do you anticipate creating?
Well, you know it’s hard to tell right now. I’ve selected all the music and the characters, now I have to create the stories.
What has been your greatest accomplishment in regards to your art?
Well all kinds. In regards to my art, can you imagine at the age of 24 years old or 25, I was on the cover of LIFE Magazine? My face was on the cover of LIFE, I would have never dreamt of it! Back then it was only 10 magazines, now there are thousands of magazines I’ve been on the cover of thousands of magazines so far!
I’m guessing you never imagined this empire that you’ve created?
No. As I child, I never knew that but later on I heard of different artists and so forth, but still I sort of pioneered most of who I am by my wishes at the time.
What do you hope to give viewers of your art?
Art is like a 360. It’s like my energy, my ability to see color combinations and compositions I draw. I don’t really draw for anyone, I don’t think oh I want people to see this, I draw for my own satisfaction, and if 6 months later someone is like, ”Oh yeah I bought this piece;” I can honestly say I barely know what drove me to it.
After thanking Peter Max for his time, he reassured me his excitement of being able to travel to Richmond and to be able to engage with every one that comes out to the art exhibition. Come out to Chasen Galleries starting October 19 – October 27. Max will make an appearance at the gallery October 26 from 5-9pm and October 27 from 1-5pm.
You may be a source of inspiration for him!
Chasen Galleries is located at 3554 W. Cary Street. RSVP for special appearance dates can be made via telephone at 804-204-1048 or by email at jeff@chasengalleries-rva.com
