Peter Shear

Born in 1980 in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts, Peter Shear is a self-taught painter currently residing and working in Bloomington, Indiana, USA.

He has showcased his solo exhibitions at prominent venues such as Cheim & Read in New York, Castle in Los Angeles, Fortnight Institute in New York, KOKI Arts in Tokyo, Herron School of Art + Design at Indiana University in Indianapolis, IN, Devening Projects + Editions in Chicago, and A\M Projects in Indianapolis, IN, as well as ATM in Austin, TX.

Peter Shear's Art Style

Peter Shear, an abstract painter who primarily works with oil on modest-sized canvases or panels, employs various elements in his creations. His artworks often evoke landscapes, featuring figural and emblematic forms that defy easy identification. Shear employs lines, dots, and simple shapes to construct his compositions.

The brushstrokes in his pieces lie prominently on the surface, showcasing a tactile quality. Shear draws inspiration from diverse histories and his immediate surroundings, allowing generative energies to guide his brush across canvases. He embraces the "hopeless gesture" in both action and production. Consequently, the success or failure of a painting hinges on the contemplation of those who engage with it. Shear rejects objectivity and instead provides reflections on the colorfield, exploring tonal shifts and contrasts between light and dark. Central to his practice is the act of drawing in paint.