Peter Max exhibit coming to Zionsville

Reprinted from Zionsville Times Sentinel

The collected works from iconic pop artist Peter Max is coming to Zionsville’s CV Art and Frame Gallery Sept. 8-15.

The famed artist has created new work specifically for Indianapolis and guests may view decades of paintings spanning more than 60 years.

“I created these pieces especially for my friends and fans in Zionsville and the Indianapolis area,” Max said. “I hand painted the Colts helmet and created an homage piece to Dale Earnhardt and the Indy 500, as well as paintings featuring the Indianapolis skyline and the state of Indiana with a big heart.

“It’s a really great retrospective of my works and styles from the past six decades. I still can’t believe it’s been six decades,” Max said.

Max is inspired by nature and the people walking by, feeling energy or innovation in the cities across the United States.

“I feel so blessed that people enjoy my work and I love sharing my art. I hope my work makes people happy and brings color and joy to their lives,” Max said.

Max has painted for the past seven presidents of the United States and many celebrities, including Taylor Swift, Bono and others. He has been named Official Artist of the Grammy Awards, five NFL Super Bowls, the 2006 Olympics, the World Cup USA, The World Series, The Indy 500, Kentucky Derby and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The exhibit will feature some of his popular work such as Statue of Liberty, Flag, Umbrella Man and Cosmic Runner.

Perhaps one of his bestknown pieces is the Love poster many remember throughout what Max called the Woodstock generation.

“It was just everywhere, from dorm rooms to record company walls. I printed it on a two-color press and added splits to the ink fountains, so the ink created a wonderful, multi-color blend background, achieving a full color poster,” he said.

Even then, Max never imagined the popularity and fan base he has today.

“As a kid growing up in China, I would see Life Magazine covers with photos of baseball players, famous musicians, movie stars and presidents,” Max said. “I never, ever thought I’d be painting presidents and for big events back then. And I never imagined as a kid that I would be on the cover of Life Magazine myself later in life.”

CV Art and Frame is at 110 South Main Street.

“To be able to share this iconic artist’s work that spans over six decades is a real thrill,” gallery director Rhonda Crawshaw said.

 
“This is our second exhibition of his work, and I will never forget the feeling in the gallery, once all of our normal inventory was taken down and Peter Max’s work was hung. There was an immediate feeling of joy. The rooms felt lighter. Peter Max’s art evokes a spiritual connection between nature and humans.”

Leading up to the exhibition in September, Max can recall some of what he considers his greatest achievements.

“I’m so fortunate to have had so many amazing moments throughout my career — the first U.S. environmental postage stamp, the Life Magazine cover, wearable art clothing collections with Wrangler, my record-breaking exhibition at the Hermitage Museum in Leningrad, the world’s largest stage for Woodstock ’99, a Boeing 777 super jet and the hull of the Norwegian Breakaway ship,” Max said.

“The accomplishment I’m most proud of though, is bringing Swami Satchidananda to America. We founded the Integral Yoga Institute together. It’s now the largest yoga institute in the world with centers on six continents,” Max said. “He wasn’t the first yoga master to come to America, but with the creation of the Integral Yoga Institute, he helped modern yoga take firm roots here. I encouraged legendary concert promoter Michael Lang to have the Swami give the opening address at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, and now he’s remembered as the Woodstock guru.

An uncrating event will kick off the exhibition Sept. 7 with public receptions from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 14 and 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 15.

For more information, visit the website at https://cvartandframe.com/.