Peter Max has enjoyed a life in art. From the swinging ’60s when he broke out, to the current “age of media” where he is enjoying putting together retrospective exhibits, from his iconic pop art designs commemorating Woodstock to the 2013 unveiling of Max’s design for the cruise ship Breakaway and the new Marilyn series, Max has been recognized as one of the most popular painters in the world. His vibrant trademark colors are instantly recognizable and his paintings have been featured in fine art museums and on national magazine covers.
“I am happy to have done all the many things I have done,” Max said from his New York studio. {mprestriction ids="1,3"}“I was excited when I got my first magazine cover, a cover for Life. I never would have believed I would have done over 2,000 magazine covers in my career.”
A never-before-seen collection of paintings by the legendary artist will be on exhibition and available for acquisition in a presentation called “Peter Max: A Retrospective 1960 – 2015,” at Town Center Plaza in Leawood. This exhibit features his iconic and best-known pieces including “Statue of Liberty,” Max’s famous “Flag” pieces, “Umbrella Man” and the prestigious “Cosmic Runner.”
Previews of the exhibit begin Saturday, April 25. Two special “Meet the Artist” receptions are scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 3. All appearances are complimentary and open to the public with RSVP’s required. In addition, all artworks on exhibition are available for acquisition.
“I have been to Kansas City a few times and I loved it,” Max said. “I have enjoyed the city and the people there tremendously.”
Max has been called a pop icon, neo Fauvist, abstract expressionist and the United States “Painter Laureate.” He said he has been exposed to many influences over his life that have shaped his art. Born in Berlin, Germany, in 1937, his parents escaped the Nazis when he was 1 year old and the family moved to Shanghai, China. He remembers Shanghai being a beautiful place and his family being welcomed into the community.
“My father and his Jewish friends started the first shul in that area (of Shanghai),” Max said. “They were the first to start a strong Jewish community where we lived. My father was from a very Hasidic family. I learned Hebrew and some Chinese. A lot of things made up my background, and the family tradition of Judaism was very important.”
In 1948 the family moved to Haifa, Israel, where Max said he made many friends. After living there for several years, they continued to travel west and the family spent several months living in Paris. Living in Paris, Max maintains, even further established his appreciation of art.
Finally the family settled in Brooklyn, New York. The very next day after coming to America, Max started high school.
“The very first person I met in America was a classmate who was singing opera,” Max said. “I was a little scared of this person singing opera but we became good friends… Though he wanted to be an opera star he became a big movie star. And that was Paul Sorvino.”
After high school Max began is formal art training at the Art Students League of New York in Manhattan, studying anatomy, figure drawing and composition. His instructor was Frank J. Reilly, who had also attended the Arts Students League and had been a classmate of Norman Rockwell.
“It was a great period,” Max said. “There were so many interesting things going on.”
In the ’60s, after starting his own studio Max began getting industry recognition as an artist in the advertising field, including a successful “un-cola” ad for 7-Up. He appeared on “The Tonight Show” in 1968 and in September 1969 Life magazine ran a cover story on him entitled “Peter Max: Portrait of the artist as a very rich man.”
“I did a couple of magazines and then more and more kept asking,” Max said. “Back then there were around four magazine. Now there are thousands. It truly is the age of media. And I am humbled and so pleased to be on so many of these magazine. I have been on Time, TV Guide several times, the Yellow Pages five or six times. ”
Max’s popularity exploded as he became involved in several high profile events. He has been the official artist of the Grammy’s, five NFL Super Bowls, the 2006 Olympics, the World Cup USA, The World Series, The U.S. Open, The Indy 500, The NYC Marathon and The Kentucky Derby.
World famous celebrities have also taken notice of Max’s abilities, and everyone from The Beatles to Taylor Swift have received Max’s signature brushstrokes.
“Sitting here looking at the wall in my office, looking at so much of my work, I see three paintings of Ringo Starr right now. I feel very blessed.”
Max has been privileged to paint world leaders as well, including the last seven presidents — all in the White House. In addition to museums, his art hangs in presidential libraries and in U.S. embassies across the globe.
“I was at a party one time and a man approached me and asked for my autograph and told me he was a big fan,” Max said. “He looked familiar but I couldn’t remember where I had seen him. Then two women approached him for his autograph and I saw his name. Ronald Regan. I should have been asking for his autograph. He was only an actor then but to have someone that would become president of the United States ask me for my autograph. It was amazing.”
More than four decades of Max’s work will be displayed at Peter Max: A Retrospective, and will show the evolution of his work over the years. To attend one of the receptions RSVP by calling 844-832-8800 or emailing . The gallery at Town Center Plaza is located at 5029 W. 117th St. in Leawood, Kansas.{/mprestriction}