Peter Saul

ARTIST: Peter Saul

DOB/PLACE: 8/16/1934, San Francisco, California

RESIDENCE: New York State

EDUCATION: 1950-52, California School of Fine Arts 1952-56, Washington University, St. Louis

EMPLOYMENT: U of Texas, Austin, 1981-2000

MAJOR SHOWS/GALLERIES/COMMISSIONS:

http://www.davidnolangallery.com/artists/peter-saul/biography/

MEDIA & TECHNIQUES: Painting/drawing and collage

CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION: Strong influence of POP Art, comics...uses ‘hot’ colors. High energy and often obnoxious (“pitiless lampooning”*) they make their point. Apparently though now in his late 70’s, he has not ‘mellowed’ one bit.

* http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-12-08/art/peter-saul-s-thrilling-tastelessness/

SUBJECT MATTER/THEMES/CONCEPTS DEALT WITH: Irony and satire...personal foibles, satires of art history, WWll, Vietnam, the Civil Rights movement, etc..

http://www.pafa.org/Museum/Exhibitions/Past-Exhibitions/Peter-Saul-Exhibition/128/

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY: The best article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/16/arts/design/16saul.html *

*A quote: “If his work has softened and broadened with time — a few of the later pictures in this otherwise sterling selection feel undercooked or overstated — its essence remains tough and firm. This is an art of combative moral ambiguity that looks as if it’s coming from some laugh-riot lunatic fringe but is, in fact, a sane and realistic depiction of the world. What’s wrong with this picture? each Saul painting asks. And each one answers: Everything.”

researched by Janet Weyenberg