Peter Max, the artist who painted the Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, along with much of the art that defined the 1960s, will appear at the El Paso Museum of Art this Saturday at 6 p.m.
The museum is displaying much of Max’s work through Nov.18. Victor Guerrero, public relations officer at El Paso Museum of Art, believes there has been a great response to the Peter Max exhibit. 
Christian Gerstheimer, curator at the museum of art believes we are fortunate to have the chance to meet this artist.
“Peter Max is one of the last, major, living Pop artists and we are lucky to be able to have his art and him in El Paso,” Gerstheimer said.
Some people may be familiar with his art. It is one that relates to people of all ages.
His art is explosive and psychedelic, filled with vibrant colors and unusual characters. He is a multi-dimensional creative artist. He works with oils, acrylics, water colors, finger paints, dyes, pastels, charcoal, pen, multi-colored pencils, etchings, engravings, animation cells, lithographs, serigraphs, silk screens, ceramics, sculpture, collage, video and computer graphics.
“The work that Peter Max brings to fruition is a work that is relatable at many levels,” said Guerrero.
Said Gerstheimer: “I think he has an amazing imagination and positive outlook about the world.”
“One may not have to be well educated in the art realm in order to be able to relate and enjoy his work.” said Guerrero.
He likes to hear surprising facts about the universe.
European born, Max was raised in Shanghai, China, where he spent his first 10 years. He has lived in a pagoda-style house situated amidst a Buddhist monastery, a Sikh temple and a Viennese cafe. He became captivated with new trends in commercial illustration and graphic arts from America, Europe, and Japan.
He decided to try this and within a short time, he won awards for album covers and book jackets. He also admired the work of modern photographers such as Bert Stern, Richard Avedon, and Irving Penn, which led to his photo collage period.
He captured the psychedelic era of the mid ’60s, the photo collages gave way, to his famous “Cosmic ’60s” style, with its unique line work and bold color combinations.
Guerrero said, “Vibrant color makes his work interesting to many individuals.”
His new style developed as a spontaneous creative urge, following a meeting with Swami Satchidananda, an Indian Yoga master who taught him meditation and the spiritual teachings of the East. Max was suddenly on numerous magazine covers, such as Life, and appeared on national TV.
His visual impact on the ’60s has often been compared to the influence the Beatles had with their music.
Max has painted many heads of state, which include six U.S. presidents. He has painted 235 U.S. Border murals to greet millions of people who are entering the land of opportunity.
He was announced as the official artist for the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team, five Super Bowls, six Grammy Awards, a World Cup U.S.A, the World Series, the United Nations Earth Summit, and many more events. 
He has also painted a 240-ton jet which is currently flying for Continental Airlines.
The themes of his paintings concern peace, the environment, human rights and animal rights.
Although much of his work is being presented in posters, they are a testament to his greatness.
“Some people expect to see more actual paintings,” Gerstheimer said. “Those people don’t seem to realize that posters are the medium that made Max a millionaire.”
Max was affected by September 11th. He has created posters to aid the September 11th Fund and Survivors Fund. They are available on his website, www.petermax.com.
He was asked to create the American Heroes Project, 356 portraits of the fire fighters were lost on September 11.
Max has published his first book, with 240 pages of color images, The Art of Peter Max.
There has been a lot of attention among local art enthusiasts, and his exhibit was publicized using marketing techniques that expand
beyond creating local awareness.
Max’s will hold a lecture in the Energy Auditorium at 7 p.m., at the museum according to Guerrero. There will also be a yoga lesson, and reception will follow the lecture.
The event is free to the public. Those who are attending the lecture must make reservations by calling 532-1707.
