Peter Max, the legendary pop artist famous for colorful, expressive work celebrating 1960s culture, is visiting San Antonio this month for a new pop-up art exhibition.
Austin's the Russell Collection will present “Peter Max Retrospective — The Collected Works: 1960-2017,” beginning with a special uncrating party on August 18 at The Shops at La Cantera. Previews of the show open August 19, and the art will be available for acquisition through August 27.
Guests can also meet Max during scheduled appearances August 26 and 27.
Gallerist and innovator Lisa Russell said she’s looking forward to presenting Max’s work at the pop-up art gallery in San Antonio and giving people the opportunity to meet the artist.
“We’ve done other pop-up exhibits at our gallery featuring modern masters including Picasso and Dali, and we are trying to expand our range and reach to involve the San Antonio community,” she said.
“Peter Max is known for his color, and he’s been a graphic artist since the ‘60s, so we get a lot of people who want to come see his work and not necessarily purchase anything,” Russell said. “It’s a great chance to see one of the last, living pop artists of that generation.”
The boutique show will be enclosed in about a 2,500-square-foot space and will feature close to 100 of Max’s original and mixed media acrylic paintings on canvas and paper. Prices for individual works start at $2,500 and include a certificate from his studio. A few prints will also be for sale.
The show will feature a wide range of Max’s images, from unique paper pieces to paintings of his iconic images including Profiles, Liberties, Better World, and Umbrella Man.
“The ‘60s were, and always will be, a celebration of freedom of expression; higher consciousness; and a new, free, natural lifestyle,” Max said. “My art of that period is much like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead. It’s part of the fabric of American culture. Of course, there’s a stronger identification if you were there, but younger generations love it, too.”
Revered for his celebrity commissions and portraits, his celebrity portraiture will be included in the show, and commissions of portraits will be available to all patrons and guests.
Max was recently commissioned to create a portrait of the honoree for the 2017 Grammy Awards MusiCares dinner, Tom Petty. He’s painted music legends including Lionel Ritchie, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, and many more.
His work has even jumped from the canvas to the side of a Continental airplane. Over the years, he’s created countless posters, magazine covers, and paintings of celebrities.
“It will definitely be a feast for your eyes,” Russell said. “He’s got a story for almost every piece he’s created. He has these pieces he did called Without Borders, which were posters he originally created to help save the rainforest. He named the ‘80s ‘The Decade of the Heart.’ Everything he does has a lot of compassion about it, and the show will be very meaningful and cool.”
The pop-up is located at Suite 20190 at The Shops at La Cantera, across from H&M. All appearances are complimentary to the public. RSVPs are required by calling 512-478-4440 or by emailing sales@russell-collection.com. Visit the Russell Collection website for more information.
Cosmic Alamo, by Peter Max.
