Peter Saul's Irreverent Art: A Retrospective and New Works
Peter Saul, an American artist celebrated for his biting social and political commentary, has been creating art for more than four decades, employing grotesque visuals to examine American politics, the Vietnam War, and the art scene. A retrospective of his work was showcased in French museums from 1999 to 2000. In 2001, he contributed to the exhibition 'Eye Infection' at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. From January 17 to March 8, 2002, Galerie Charlotte Moser in Geneva hosted a solo show of his work. Saul's pieces from the early 1960s often feature dark narratives with cartoon figures. His Vietnam War paintings, including 'G.I. Christ' (1967), illustrate grim realities. He has also critiqued political figures such as Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, while more recently, works like 'Mr Cool' and 'Cold Sweat' showcase his emphasis on raw humor.
Key facts
- Peter Saul retrospective toured French museums 1999-2000: Les Sables d'Olonne, Châteauroux, Dole, Mons.
- Participated in 'Eye Infection' at Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Nov 2 2001 – Jan 20 2002.
- Solo exhibition at Galerie Charlotte Moser, Geneva, Jan 17 – Mar 8 2002.
- Film 'Le Principe de Saul' by Nicolas Bonnet and Damien Faure released 2001.
- Early 1960s works feature cartoon characters in violent scenes.
- Recurring electric chair motif from 1964's 'Sex Deviate Being Executed'.
- Vietnam War paintings like 'G.I. Christ' (1967) critique US involvement.
- Satirized Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and the Holy Trinity in 'The Last Judgement' (1993).
Entities
Artists
- Peter Saul
- Robert Crumb
- Jim Nutt
- H. C. Westermann
- Mike Kelley
- Nicolas Bonnet
- Damien Faure
- Donald Duck
- Mickey Mouse
- Superman
- Valda Sherman
- John Wayne Gacy
- Jeffrey Dahmer
- Angela Davis
- Muhammad Ali
- Martin Luther King
- Ronald Reagan
- Bill Clinton
- George W. Bush
- Clement Greenberg
- Max Beckmann
- Philip Guston
- Robert Storr
- Gérald Gassiot-Talabot
- John Martin
- Alain Matarasso
Institutions
- Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
- Galerie Charlotte Moser
- Kimsa Films
- Université Washington de Saint-Louis
- Galerie Bonnier
- Frumkin/Adams Gallery
- Smart Art Museum
- Texas Gallery
- Nolan/Eckman Gallery
- Galerie Darthea Speyer
- Galerie du Centre
Locations
- San Francisco
- United States
- Les Sables d'Olonne
- France
- Châteauroux
- Dole
- Mons
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Geneva
- Switzerland
- Mill Valley
- California
- Germantown
- New York
- Chicago
- Houston
- Paris
Sources
- artpress —