Peter Shire's First Los Angeles Museum Survey Showcases Postmodern Design Legacy
From April 22 to July 2, 2017, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles hosted a comprehensive survey of Peter Shire's work. The exhibition highlighted his vibrant furniture, ceramics, and sculptures, which merge playful geometry with a colorful hypermodern style. In 1977, Ettore Sottsass recognized Shire's talent, leading to his membership in the Memphis Group in 1981 as the only representative from Los Angeles. Shire's creations have left a mark on popular culture, influencing Kenny Scharf's designs for Pee-wee's Playhouse and Matt Groening's 'Life in Hell.' Among the showcased pieces was the Right Weld Chair (2017), with his designs epitomizing postmodern bad taste, notably featured in the 1986 film Ruthless People.
Key facts
- Peter Shire's first Los Angeles museum survey was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles from 22 April to 2 July 2017
- Shire was discovered by Milanese designer Ettore Sottsass in 1977 through LA's WET magazine
- Shire is the sole Los Angeles member of the Memphis Group, founded by Sottsass in 1981
- His aesthetic influenced Kenny Scharf's sets for Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986–91) and Matt Groening's 'Life in Hell' column in LA Weekly
- Shire's studio is located on Echo Park Ave in Los Angeles under jacaranda trees
- The exhibition featured chairs with tomato-red shark fin backs and teapots with geometric shapes
- Shire's designs appeared in the 1986 film Ruthless People starring Danny DeVito and Bette Midler
- His work is described as postmodern bad taste that embodies Los Angeles's flamboyant style
Entities
Artists
- Peter Shire
- Ettore Sottsass
- Kenny Scharf
- Matt Groening
- Danny DeVito
- Bette Midler
- John Fante
Institutions
- Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
- Memphis Group
- WET
- LA Weekly
- ArtReview
- Pee-wee's Playhouse
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Echo Park Ave
- Milan
- Italy