Peter Max, known for groovy art that came to symbolise the 60s, dies at 88
NEW YORK: Pop artist Peter Max, whose dreamy, boldly colored works provided an artistic backdrop for the 1960s US hippie movement and made him a commercial art powerhouse, died on Monday at a hospital in Manhattan at the age of 88, a spokesperson for his family said on Wednesday.
Pop artist Peter Max, whose vivid and colorful works epitomized the 1960s hippie movement, passed away on Monday at the age of 88 in a Manhattan hospital, according to a family spokesperson. Inspired by his fascination with astronomy, Max's art, characterized by its vibrant colors and surreal imagery, captured the essence of the era's youth culture.
Rock icons like the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix sought his portrait, while President Ronald Reagan held him in high regard, even commissioning a painting of the Statue of Liberty for the Reagan Presidential Library.
Max's decorative posters, as noted in a 1967 Village Voice review, depicted a "psychedelic skyline," symbolizing a future where skyscrapers could serve as temples. The artist's creations were often likened to the experience of taking an acid trip, with cosmic landscapes, starbursts, and celestial bodies dominating his oeuvre. These images, with their kaleidoscopic butterflies and flower-power motifs, were as much a part of the 60s and 70s as sex, drugs, and rock n roll.
Peter Max is survived by his daughter Libra and his son Adam. In a statement, his daughter expressed her gratitude for the deep love and affection she received from her father, emphasizing her hope that his artistic legacy would be remembered alongside his kindness and gentleness.
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