Born in Europe, Max grew up in Shanghai, China, until the age of ten. His parents then took him on an odyssey across China to a Tibetan mountain camp at the foothills of the Himalayas, then up 9000 feet to an idyllic mountaintop retreat. This was followed by a journey to India, then Africa and Israel, where he studied painting with a Viennese Fauvist. Their next stop was Paris, where Max went to art school and was influenced by the rich French culture. In 1953, at the age of 16, Max and his family emigrated to the United States. In New York, Max attended the renowned Art Student's League, where he was taught the rigid rules of realism; this was followed by a new fascination with commercial illustration and graphic arts.... READ MORE>
This new direction was a turning point that led to an incredibly successful career. He began creating album covers and book jackets that won awards. Then, influenced by the politics of the '60's, contemporary photography and transcendental meditation, Peter Max's completely original style emerged. Combining his fantastic illustration with bold colorations and psychedelic subject matter, his art epitomized the youth culture of the 1960's. His unsurpassed originality has led to a deserved fame and fortune that has lasted literally for generations.
Peter Max's commissions and exhibitions have been numerous. In 1991, Max had the largest turnout ever for his one-man exhibition in St. Petersberg, Russia. He painted the portraits of four American presidents, and in 1993, he created posters for Bill Clinton's inaugural. He has always been ready, too, to contribute artistically to many major events, by producing art for the Summit of the Americas, the United Nations Earth Summit, the Woodstock Music Festival, and has been designated the Official Artist for the Grammy Awards and five Super Bowls.
Subscribe