Peter Mars
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Peter Mars | |
 Peter Mars in his studio, 2008 |
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| Birth name | Peter Mars |
| Born | 1959 Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Nationality | American (United States) |
| Field | Printmaker, Artist, Painting |
| Movement | Pop Art |
Peter Mars (Born 1959 in Portland, Oregon) is an American artist with ties to both the Pop Art and Outsider Art movements.
Contents |
[edit] History & Education
Mars was educated at Reed College, a small private school in Portland, Oregon. During this time, he explored his love of nature and science, receiving a degree in Chemistry.
In 1982, Peter moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. He lived and worked in the French Quarter during the mid-1980s. It was there that he learned printmaking while working in the silkscreen studio of the New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center.
[edit] Artistic Endeavors
Mars’ paintings incorporate the use of silkscreen or serigraphy (from the French words for “silk writing”) on various mediums including wood, canvas, and paper. The art of silkscreen has been popularized by many contemporary artists such as Alexander Calder, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol.
In the tradition of Pop Art, mechanical repetition plays an important part in Mars’ work. He is known for completing his paintings in series, where the same image appears, each time within a slightly different context.
Peter’s art is inspired by popular culture including everyday objects like old signs, billboards, match packs, TV shows, candy wrappers, and wallpaper.
His work is influenced by the artworks of both dada and pop artists such as Stuart Davis, Francis Picabia, Robert Rauschenberg, and James Rosenquist.
[edit] Current Activities
In 1988, Peter moved to Chicago, Illinois. His studio is a loft, located in the historic warehouse district. This area was originally made famous by the Haymarket Riots of 1886.
Mars has spent the past 20 years making his art and also collaborating with Outsider artists including Howard Finster, Wesley Willis, R.A. Miller, and Pop artists such as Jeff Schaller, Burton Morris, and Tom Judd.
Recent projects include Cool Globes (2007), CD art for indie rock band, the Redwalls, new release (2007), Suite Home Chicago (2001), and Cows on Parade (1999).
[edit] Reviews
“Brilliant, quirky.” –NYUnews.com
"Witty and excitingly of the moment." -New Orleans Times Picayune
"Leader of Chicago's Avant Pop movement" -Chicago Sun Times
"A mixture of spiritual consumerism, banality, and resonant mystery." - New Orleans Art Review
[edit] Image Gallery
 Pegasus |
 Eiffel Tower |
[edit] References
Green, Roger (February 15), “Appropriate art for an 'alternative' space”, The Chicago Sun-Times: K-2 - K-3.
Shea, Al, “Proscenium: Artscan”, New Orleans Gambit.
Pyne, Lynn (May 7), “Visual art: Art by Peter Mars”, The Phoenix Gazette.
Bourrie, Sally Ruth, “Art Among the Fishmongers”, NewCity.
Waddington, Chris (October), “Klassy Kitsch”, New Orleans Gambit.
Edwards, Brian (May 16), “'Custom-bombing' is their stock in trade”, Chicago Tribune: 23.
Donato, Marla, “City nightlife becomes a bit more subdued”, Chicago Tribune.
Donato, Marla, “Hanging Out: Look out, SuHu: This gallery district is so new it doesn't have a name.”, Chicago Tribune.
“Out & About”, Chicago Sun-Times: Weekend Plus: 24, August.
[Victoria] (May 1989). "Chicago's Newest Gallery District". Avenue M 4 (1): 8,9.
"Where the Hip Hang" (January 1991). Chicago Magazine: 27.
Loudon, Tracy (July/August 1991). "Pop Goes the Easel". Inside Chicago: 37.
Rubin, Jeff (March/April 1997). "Traditions". The New Orleans Art Review: 41, 42.
Fields, Catt. "Mars Closer Than You Think". PHX Downtown.
