The El Paso Museum of Art is pleased to display the exhibition of a world-renowned American artist, Peter Max, who has been the Official Artist of the Grammy Awards and five Super Bowls. His exhibition “The Creative World of Peter Max: A Retrospective” captures the spirit of the ’60s through ’90s. In his reception at the museum, Max was received with a standing ovation from the entire auditorium. As humble as he is, he made a joke boasting of his work.
“You’d be lucky to get a poster on eBay,” he said. Not only does he produce artwork, which has been shown in over 100 museums, but Max has his own line of home and apparel products, with profits going towards charity.
“Love all, serve all” was his common
statement at the lecture.
Max’s first art show was held in a museum in San Francisco, in 1967, the famous summer of love. By 1971, he was working for 72 corporations, creating different pieces for each one.
Travels around the world that he experienced at a young age, compounded with his love of astronomy, made his artwork unique. He originally wanted to become an astronomer, but his father once told him, “You got to do something for a living.”
Born as Peter Finkelstein in Berlin, Germany, Max was raised in Shanghai, China. He traveled to India, Africa, Israel, Tibet and other countries.
In 1953, Max’s family immigrated to America. After graduating from high school, and encouraged by a friend, he went to the Art Students League.
It became apparent to others that Max was talented. Initially, his paintings were realistic portraits, but a certain circumstance changed his realistic perspectives to the abstract.
Max said that a prominent customer set up an appointment to view Max’s work. Before the appointment, Max sketched various drawings.
As he drew, he combined his two loves, art and astronomy. He produced four sketches of different astronomical entities. Soon after that, he found himself showing off his artwork, which consisted of the realistic types of portrait painting.
Though his work was excellent and his client was amazed, Max was turned down. The potential client stated that a photographer could produce the same kind of work.
Afterwards, as Max gathered his work, the sketches caught the client’s eyes.
This is what led to Max’s success as an artist. In about nine months, he had already sold over 7 million original posters, each selling at about six cents.
Generations of people will be able to enjoy the nostalgic artwork of a great mind until Nov. 19, in the El Paso Museum of Art, located Downtown in the One Arts Festival Plaza.
