Peter Max Icon of Pop Culture

Peter Max Icon of Pop Culture This talented artist continues to captivate new generations with his vibrant work. f you grew up during the ’60s, chances Max’s parents escaped Nazi Germany The young Chinese artist and what she was are you had a Peter Max poster in in 1938 when he was an infant. Settling teaching him came to mean so much to him I your home, or maybe in your college in Shanghai, Max quickly took to art. By that when his family had to leave to move to dorm. His cosmic, psychedelic style of pop day, Max’s father sold men’s clothing to Israel, Peter was moved to tears. art epitomized ’60s culture, but his brush other Europeans who lived in Shanghai. By Max and his family lived in Israel, strokes have illuminated the world for de- night, he would draw, and he would teach and Paris—where he took classes at the cades. At 76, the artist is still going strong. his son. When Max was three, his mother Louvre—before settling in Brooklyn. In the Max’s story is a classic American tale, came across a man painting by their pa- 1950s, he began studying under Frank J. and with the exception of his wife, Mary, goda house in Shanghai. She asked him to Reilly at the Art Students League of New York. this country that gave life to his dreams is give formal lessons to her son. He would Still, like many other young people, his truest love. not, but he sent his daughter, who was only Max was unsure of what he wanted to do “This is the greatest little place on four years older than Peter. For the next upon graduation. Would he become an ar- planet Earth,” he said. seven years, she served as his teacher. chitect? A fashion designer? He dreamed 64 BC The Magazine // November/December 2013 of becoming an astronomer. One thing was clear: he was an immensely talented artist. So he got cracking with his artwork, and met the right people. One thing led to another, and soon he was featured in Life magazine. Then he was on the cover, and making the circuit of all the TV talk shows, being interviewed by everyone from Merv Griffin to Johnny Carson. Max was definitely on the scene, and no doubt helped in part by the fact that magazines were now increasingly printing in color, Max’s vibrant art pieces caught the imagination of a huge audience. “Suddenly, I got popular and I had no idea even how to deal with it,” he says. His use of vivid colors and cosmic images was the perfect illustration for the music of the day, the creators of which Max knew. He was friends with The Beatles, Hendrix, and many more. Everyone wanted him to license his work. He had en- thralled and captured the hearts and eyes of everyone. “I didn’t even know what licensing meant,” he said. Max’s work has been in constant demand for his entire career. He has been the official artist for the Grammys, World Series and Super Bowl. He once designed a special racecar for Dale Earnhardt. His work has been featured in more than 1,000 museums. Max is everywhere—land, air and sea. Continental Airlines commissioned him to create a work for a Boeing 777, and he recently designed art that adorned the side of a cruise ship. No matter how large or small the project is, Max loves to spread his colorful images of love, freedom and peace. His work is iconic, and despite his fame, he remains open to doing any project. Max’s humility is truly commendable. “I’m honored, so I do it,” he said. Peter Max will be appearing at the Wentworth Gallery at the Shops at Riverside on Saturday, Justin Davidson, contributing editor of Talk of the Town maga- December 7th from 12-2 PM. zine, is also a regular contributor of BC THE MAGAZINE. BC The Magazine // November/December 2013 65.

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