Peter Max show celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love
STONE HARBOR — Pop artist Peter Max returns to Ocean Galleries to celebrate the Fourth of July and a half century since his work helped to define the “Summer of Love,’’ its art, music, psychedelic wonders and view that anything is possible.
“Summer of Love 50th Anniversary’’ brings together more than 100 of the artist’s works, including acrylics, mixed-media pieces and hand-colored etchings. They will be on view and for sale Friday through July 5.
Max will be present for two receptions, 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. He will sign purchased art.
“If it’s July 4, I know I will be in Stone Harbor, such a friendly American town,’’ he wrote in an email message. “It means a lot to me having come to this country as a teenager.’’
Max, who now lives in New York City, had spent his early years in China, where his ideas about America were formed from comic books, Hollywood movies and jazz. The Statue of Liberty and the Stars and Stripes were among his early subjects.
His first printed poster, “Love,’’ surprised him with its success. “I had no idea it would become so iconic,’’ he wrote. “It was in dorm rooms and on record company walls everywhere.’’
It, like all his works, recalls the uplifting themes of the period. The music of the time, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Who and others, was an abiding influence on his art.
“I paint to this music all the time,’’ he said, noting that Bob Dylan, the Beach Boys and the Doors are other favorites. Visitors to the show can expect to hear some of these sounds in the background.
“The music had such a deep meaning for me and influenced my paintings and drawings,’’ Max said. “It was the psychedelic era and my cosmic work and the music of the times spoke to each other.’’
The early optimism of the young artist has not waned over the years. “I am still optimistic 50 years later,’’ he said, adding, “I wake up every morning and can’t wait to see what the day brings. I wake up and go straight to an empty canvas. I take the top off my paints jars and pick up my brush and magic just seems to happen from my imagination.’’
For more information, call 609-368-7777.
Elsewhere in area galleries
- About the Art: Art Group 4 Seasons @ Mapleton will display its oils, watercolors and fabric collage at 137 High St., Mount Holly, Saturday to Aug. 31. Janet Cebular, Marilyn Flavell, Cynthia Guilhamet and Carol O’Shaughnessy are members of the group, which paints together weekly. Reception July 8, 1 to 4 p.m. 609-280-6890.
- Artworks Trenton: Selects Exhibition, standouts from Art All Night, exhibited as well as purchased artwork; through July 15. 19 Everett Alley, Trenton. 609-394-9436
- Burlington County Library: An exhibit of landscape paintings hosted by the Willingboro Art Alliance for July at 5 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton. Twenty artists from New Jersey and Pennsylvania are included. 856-234-1406.
- D&R Greenway Land Trust: The Garden State Watercolor Society's 48th annual exhibition, "Our World Through Artists' Eyes," through Aug. 21 Mondays-Fridays. Johnson Education Center, 1 Preservation Place, Princeton. 609-924-4646.
- Perkins Center for the Arts/Collingswood Gallery: “Space Lines’’ includes work by three artists through Aug. 19, at 30 Irwin Ave. One, Oki Fukunaga, employs wire coat hangers to create his sculptures. The gallery, which is devoted to group shows, is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 856-235-6488.
- Smithville Mansion Annex Gallery: “Monochromatic Photography’’ Thursday through Aug. 20, at 803 Smithville Road, Eastampton. The show expands the notion of monochromatic to include work consisting of one color. Reception Aug. 12, 1 to 3 p.m. 609-265-2445.
- Workers House Gallery at Smithville Park: A senior art show for artists 60 and older, Thursday through Aug. 6, at 803 Smithville Road, Eastampton. Reception July 7 at 2 p.m. Winners will go on to a state competition later in the summer. 609-265-2445.
