Denis Peterson

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Denis Peterson is an American artist of Armenian descent. He is a hyperrealist painter whose early photorealist works [1][2][3] were exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum, Whitney Museum, and Max Hutchinson Gallery in New York.

Contents

[edit] Life and Work

Denis Peterson was one of the first Photorealists to emerge in New York. He is widely acknowledged as the pioneer and primary architect of Hyperrealism[4] [5] which was founded upon the aesthetic principles of Photorealism. Author Graham Thompson wrote "One demonstration of the way photography became assimilated into the art world is the success of photorealist painting in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It is also called super-realism or hyper-realism and painters like Richard Estes, Denis Peterson, Audrey Flack, and Chuck Close often worked from photographic stills to create paintings that appeared to be photographs." [6]

Peterson has often utilized the hyperrealism painting style as a phenomenological vehicle for social change.[7] Figurative images in compressed space and incorporeal landscapes of social decadence are visual commentaries on the aftermath of genocides, diasporas and cultural divides.[8] "Because of a combination of the theme of the work and his technical abilities, Peterson's paintings have a timeless symbolic meaning rather than the mere appearance of a photograph. While hyper-real in definition, they are also breaking from the structures of photography as being an acceptable simulation of reality and instead, creating a sense of loss from "personalization and interaction."[9]

Visually disturbing subjects of this iconoclastic artist have been statuesque figures and stoic faces painted in an eerily and deafening hyper-reality. His subjects are universally depicted with an internalized calm in the face of the surrounding horrors of deadly disease, impending torture, terrorizing fear and irrational hatred.[10]

[edit] Painting Subjects

These photorealistic works are visually compelling; often bearing witness to historical evidence of grotesque mistreatment of people by governments, societies and systemic classism.[11][12] His earlier work exposed totalitarian regimes, raising political and moral questions with regard to third world military governments. These hyperreal depictions were often seen as a legacy of hatred and intolerance.[13]

Visually disturbing subjects of this iconoclastic artist have been statuesque figures and stoic faces painted in an eerily and deafening hyper-reality. His subjects are universally depicted with an internalized calm in the face of the surrounding horrors of deadly disease, impending torture, terrorizing fear and irrational hatred.[14]

Thematically, Peterson's hyperrealist works are presented in series. Many of his provocative paintings have confronted the human condition.[15][16] "Western artists such as David, da Vinci and Denis Peterson are important in part because of their skill and innovation, but also because they come from cultures that dominate the modern global power scene. Renaissance painters catered to emerging capitalism, the sons in David’s painting “Oath of the Horati” symbolize French colonies, and Peterson’s Darfur painting, “Don’t Shed No Tears” provokes America to intervene with her wealth."[17]

Thematically, Peterson's hyperrealist works are presented in series. Many of his provocative paintings have confronted the human condition.[18][19] "Western artists such as David, da Vinci and Denis Peterson are important in part because of their skill and innovation, but also because they come from cultures that dominate the modern global power scene. Renaissance painters catered to emerging capitalism, the sons in David’s painting “Oath of the Horati” symbolize French colonies, and Peterson’s Darfur painting, “Don’t Shed No Tears” provokes America to intervene with her wealth."[20]

[edit] Themes of Work

His more recent photorealistic works encompass meticulously detailed New York cityscapes which focus on imposing ten story high billboards as POP icons, overlooking busy city streets, pedestrians, and vehicles.[21] "In Peterson's paintings, people are present but are typically caught under the weight and pressure of billboards and advertisements that loom heavily over the streets they inhabit. For Peterson, this is a commentary on contemporary society and its effects on people."[22]

[edit] Published Notes and References

  1. ^ Linda Chase, Photorealism at the Millennium, The Not-So-Innocent Eye: Photorealism in Context. Harry N. Abrams, Inc. New York, 2002.
  2. ^ Robert Bechtle: A Retrospective by Michael Auping, Janet Bishop, Charles Ray, and Jonathan Weinberg. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, (2005). ISBN 978-0520245433
  3. ^ Battock, Gregory. Preface to Photorealism. Harry N. Abrams, Inc., Publishers, New York, 1980. pp 8-10
  4. ^ Thompson, Graham: American Culture in the 1980s (Twentieth Century American Culture) Edinburgh University Press, 2007
  5. ^ Article - Keep it Hyper Real by Rik Rawling, Word Press [1]
  6. ^ Thompson, Graham: American Culture in the 1980s (Twentieth Century American Culture) Edinburgh University Press, 2007
  7. ^ Interview FOXTV - Real Talk with Brenda Blackman [2]
  8. ^ Article - NYC Art by Chris Rywalt [3]
  9. ^ Joshua Rose, "Beyond Perception" American Art Collector magazine, November 2008 p. 154-158
  10. ^ Commentary by Fergal Keane, Special Correspondent BBC [4]
  11. ^ Art Without Edges: Images of Genocide in Lower Manhattan by Robert Ayers [5]
  12. ^ Interview Cable News 12 with John Baske [6]
  13. ^ Article - Show Review by Chris Ashley [7]
  14. ^ Commentary by Fergal Keane, Special Correspondent BBC [8]
  15. ^ Jean Baudrillard, "The Procession of Simulacra", in Media and Cultural Studies : Keyworks, Durham & Kellner, eds. ISBN 0631220968.
  16. ^ Horrocks, Chris and Zoran Jevtic. Baudrillard For Beginners. Cambridge: Icon Books, 1996. p. 80-84
  17. ^ A Brush Stroke for Every Human Suffering by Ari Siletz [9]
  18. ^ Jean Baudrillard, "The Procession of Simulacra", in Media and Cultural Studies : Keyworks, Durham & Kellner, eds. ISBN 0631220968.
  19. ^ Horrocks, Chris and Zoran Jevtic. Baudrillard For Beginners. Cambridge: Icon Books, 1996. p. 80-84
  20. ^ Article - A Brush Stroke for Every Human Suffering by Ari Siletz [10]
  21. ^ Chris Rywalt, "Urban Perspectives", NYC Art [11]
  22. ^ Joshua Rose, "Beyond Perception", American Art Collector magazine, November 2008 p. 154-158


[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denis_Peterson"
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