Marion Peck is an American female painter who is one of the leading figures in Pop Surrealism Art movement. Inspired by her time studying and living in Rome, Peck makes clear reference to Italian Renaissance painting techniques, scene settings and colour palettes in her fanciful yet mysteriously dark Surrealist narratives. The fusion of the two seemingly distant painting styles collides into an instantly recognizable visual presence that garners Peck a growing following worldwide.
Peck’s subject matter covers religious scene, still life, classical portraitures of both modern humans dressed in historical costumes and everyday figures, such as what is depicted in the current work Business Man. Having his lustrous chestnut hair neatly brushed back, the figure is depicted in a grey woollen suit, with a blue-and-red checkered tie matching his beige shirt. His eyes glow with kindness, yet the absurdity of his appearance is hard to look over: his right eye depicted here is of a distorted angle, with a nose grows out of his half-rendered nose underneath, revealing a rather unusual way of looking at a person. This work is a prime example of Peck’s distinct and skilful way of challenging viewers’ perceptions by evoking an alien and uneasy feeling towards an otherwise ordinary subject through distorted perceptual depictions.
The present work exhibited at Rome, Dorothy Circus Gallery, StraVolti, 21 April - 28 May 2018
Courtesy of Dorothy Circus Gallery
The evolvement of Peck’s artistic style is inseparable with her renowned artist husband, Mark Ryden. Dubbed as the “Godfather of Pop Surrealism”, Ryden is recognized for blending aesthetics of Pop Culture and Old Master portraiture, giving rise to a unique “Alice in Wonderland” style that is highly distinct and recognizable.
Peck was born in Manila, the Philippines while her family was on a trip, and grew up in Seattle. After receiving her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1985, she studied for her MFAs at Syracuse University in New York and Temple University in Rome. Since her first solo exhibition in 1990 in Olympia, Washington, Peck has shown work internationally in America, Italy, and France. Her 2020 exhibition Between Worlds, held at Magda Danysz Gallery in Shanghai (31 July - 27 October 2020) marks the artist’s first solo exhibition in China. Peck made her Japan debut with the most recent solo exhibition Paintings from Lotus Land at Nanzuka Underground, Tokyo from 2 April to 1 May 2022.
Provenance
Dorothy Circus Gallery, Rome Acquired from the above by the present owner
Exhibited
Rome, Dorothy Circus Gallery, StraVolti, 21 April - 28 May 2018
signed with the artist’s initials 'MP' lower left oil on panel image 39.3 x 29 cm. (15 1/2 x 11 3/8 in.) frame 56.5 x 46.8 cm. (22 1/4 x 18 3/8 in.) Painted in 2018.