Nola.com: Meet psychedelic master Peter Max

Reprinted from Nola.com

Painter Peter Max will appear at the Angela King Gallery, 241 Royal St. on Thursday (April 23) from 5 to 8 p.m., during an opening reception for his exhibition “The World According to Peter Max.” Max’s signature synthesis of streamlined Art Deco rendering and dazzling color made him an international star in the 1960s. His psychedelic posters remain icons of the bell-bottom era.

For his upcoming show, which takes place on the eve of the New Orleans Jazz Fest 2015, Max has produced a pair of paintings that combine photographs of musical greats, including Crescent City stars Fats Domino and Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews with brilliant brushstrokes of color. Max also has applied his characteristic vision to paintings of Jackson Square, New Orleans’ golden statue of Joan of Arc and a live oak tree.

Max designed the 1994 New Orleans Jazz Fest poster, a long, narrow design with a black background and a grouping of musical greats. Scroll through all of the past Jazz Fest posters in the story:”What’s your favorite New Orleans Jazz Fest poster? Here are all 49.”

In a telephone conversation Monday (April 20), Max expressed his adoration for New Orleans.

“I love, love, love New Orleans,” he said. “I love the music that comes out of New Orleans. To go to one of the music capitals is so exciting to me all the time. … There’s no place on earth that has such a connection to music as New Orleans.”

Max is no stranger to the American music scene. The one-time Woodstock, N.Y., resident recalls meeting Jimi Hendrix in a coffee shop in the small town, not long before the guitarist’s rise to stardom. Later at his house, Hendrix played tapes of his music for Max. Before fame swept Hendrix away, the artist and musician became close friends. Max said he cried at the news of Hendrix’s untimely death.

Looking back at his long career in art, the 77-year-old said that credit may ultimately be due to his parents, who did not prevent him from decorating the peach-colored living room with crayon when he was 3 or 4 years old.

The show continues through May 20. Call 504.524.8211 or visit the Angela King Gallery website.