Peter Maier
Born 1945 in Brooklyn, New York.
A graduate of Pratt Institute, Maier was first involved in fine art in his freshman year as assistant to sculptor Robert Mallary for a work commissioned by architect Phillip Johnson for the New York State Pavilion at the 1964 New York World’s Fair — as well as being involved in industrial design.
After seeing Maier’s work at the New York World’s Fair, renowned Automotive Designer and VP of General Motors Corporation, Bill Mitchell, hired Maier prior to his junior year. His career was interrupted for a brief period in 1967-69 when he served as a military police officer in Vietnam.
Upon his return, Maier went on to enjoy a distinguished career as an Automobile Designer. Being one of the youngest ever to be hired by GM, Maier rose in the ranks to become Senior Designer for Cadillac, Pontiac and Chevrolet Motor Divisions, thereby becoming part of an elite group.
Maier left the security of his position at GM in 1980—and although approached by other major automotive firms—embarked on a journey to pursue his passion as a Fine Artist on his own.
Peter Maier began as a fine artist and industrial designer—went on to become an automobile designer, and has returned full circle to his passion, fine art.
Education
1962-66
Bachelor of Industrial Design, Pratt Institute of Design, Brooklyn, NY
1962-64
Assistant to Robert Mallary on The Cliffhangers, commissioned by Phillip Johnson for the New York World Fair State Pavillion in 1964-65
1965
General Motors Design Staff, Summer Program
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2008
"Peter Maier: Exhibition
"The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH
"Peter Maier: Premiere Exhibition", Louis K. Meisel
Gallery, New York, NY, May 3 – July 18
2006-07
"Peter Maier", Lighthouse Center for the Arts, Tequesta, FL
2006
"Peter Maier", Art Center College of Design", Pasedena, CA
2005
"Selected Works", The Krasl Museum of Art, St. Joseph, MI
2004
"2004 GM Concept Drive", GM Headquarters, Milford, MI
2003
"100th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson Celebration", Milwaukee, WI
1999
"Peter Maier", Daimler-Chrysler World Headquarters,
Auburn Hills, MI
1997
"Peter Maier Retrospective: Works with Egg-Tempura",
The Butler Institute of American Art – Salem Annex, Salem, OH
1996
"Madison Avenue at Speed", The Butler Institute of
American Art, Youngstown, OH
1994
"Madison Avenue at Speed", Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
1993
"Peter Maier: Invited Artist, Mid-Year Exhibition", The
Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio
1990
"Transportation in Art: Featured Artist – Peter Maier",
The Owl's Head Transportation Museum, North Brunswick, ME
1984
Greenville Museum of Art, Greenville, NC
Selected Group Exhibitions
2008
"Peter Maier and Recent Acquisitions", Louis K. Meisel
Gallery, New York, NY, September 3 – October 25
"Vessels and Vehicles", Vered Gallery, East Hampton, NY, August 22 – September 10
"Painted Faces: Post-Modern Portraits", Bernarducci
Meisel Gallery, New York, NY, January 17 – February 23
2005
"The Journey Museum", Demons of Speed, Rapid City, SD
2003
"The Glenmore Gathering of Significant Vehicles", Canton, OH
1997-98
"Contemporary Visions", Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Naples, FL
1991
"Motion as Metaphor: The Automobile in Art", Center for the Arts, Virginia Beach, VA
"The Automobile", The Krasl Art Center, St. Joseph, MI
1982
Allied Artists of American Exhibit, New York, NY
115th American Watercolor Society Exhibit, New York, NY
1981
114th American Watercolor Society Exhibit, New York, NY
Selected Commissions
2003
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, 100th Anniversary Painting
Selected Articles
B. A. M., "Painting Cars with Car Paint." ARTnews Nov. 1996: 38.
"Ex-GM Designer Creates Breathtaking Painting with 'Cromax'" DuPont Refinisher News 1995: 14.
Hall, Jennifer. "Art Trick: Cars Imitate Life in Peter Maier's Distinctive
Trompe L'Oeils." The Robb Report Collection Oct. 2006: 80+.
Meyers, Sheri L. "Is It Real, or is It Peter Maier?" Airbrush Action Sept.-Oct. 2003: 28-36.
Prokup, Jessica. "Larger Than Life." American Iron Magazine Oct. 2003: 126-128.
"RM Auction House Set Records at Carail." Antiques and Auction News 21 Nov. 2003: 37.
"When Art and Reality Converge: Artist Peter Maier Exhibits his Vision of the Automobile as Fine Art." DuPont Refinisher News.
Selected Museums
Harley Davidson Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Awards
Edgar A. Whitney Award, 114th American Watercolor Society Exhibit, NY 1982
Gold Medal of Honor, Allied Artists of America Exhibit, NY 1982
Award of Excellence, Concours d'Elegancem, Meadow Brook Hall, MI 1988
Award of Excellence, Gilmore Classic Car Club Museums, MI 1989
Award of Excellence, Concours d'Elegancem, Meadow Brook Hall, MI 1989
Grand Prize in Fine Art, The Glenmore Gathering of Significant Vehicles, OH, 2003
European and American Tours
Europe
Six-venue museum exhibition
“Painted Illusions: Hyperrealism 1967 – 2012”
1. Kunsthalle Tübingen – Tübingen, Germany: December 8, 2012 – March 10, 2013
2. El Museo de Arte Thyssen-Bornemisza – Madrid, Spain: April 1, 2013 – June 30, 2013
3. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery – Birmingham, UK: November 2013 – February 2014
4. Musée d'Ixelles – Ixelles, Belgium: February – May 2014
5. TBD: Kunstmuseum Thun (Switzerland), Kunstmuseum Bonn (Germany), Museum der Moderne Salzburg (Austria), UNESCO World Heritage Site Saarbrücken-Völklingen (Germany)
6. TBD: Italy – Gianni
United States
Oklahoma City Museum of Art
“Photorealism Revisited”
January 24, 2013 – May 5, 2013
Butler Institute of Art – Youngstown, Ohio
June 1, 2013 – September 30, 2013