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Peter Max (born October 19, 1937, Berlin, Germany) is an icon of the Pop Art movement, known for his vibrant use of colors and expressive brush strokes. His interest in art began in Shanghai where he lived for his formative years after his Jewish parents fled Nazi Germany with him as an infant. Max was constantly inspired by the weekly Chinese celebrations around him as a young boy and his Chinese nanny had a profound impact on his love of art having taught him to hold a brush. His mother nurtured his love of art from as early as three or four years of age and she consistently supplied him with materials to further explore his love of creating. After brief stays in Israel and Paris the family finally settled in Bensonhurst, New York in 1953.
After formally studying art at the Art Students League of New York in Manhattan (1956) Max started a small art studio with contemporary, Tom Daly. Through his studio work on books and advertising Max honed his psychedelic style. Having always been inspired by astronomy Max describes his art of the 1960s as the “Cosmic ‘60s” period. His style was popularized through various works created for pop culture campaigns such as the soft drink 7 Up. The 1970s brought Max national recognition after an appearance on The NBC Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and a Life magazine cover thrust him into the public eye. In 1974 Max was commissioned by the US Postal Service to create a postage stamp commemorating the ’74 World’s Fair in Spokane, Washington bringing attention to environmental activism, a passion of his along with human and animal rights. The 1980s forever connected Max with the Statue of Liberty when he worked with Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca on a major restoration project for the New York landmark, it has since played prominently in his work. Over the years Max has painted for five United States presidents as well pop culture figures such as Taylor Swift and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.