SAN FRANCISCO, CA.- The de Young Museum presents an exhibition of the work of Peter Max in conjunction with the community celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Peter Max and the Summer of Love features fifty works by Max and is the second exhibition of Max’s work at the de Young Museum. The artist’s first solo exhibition, The World of Peter Max, opened at the de Young Museum in 1970, eventually traveling to forty-six U.S. venues and seen by thousands of people. As a prolific, multi-dimensional artist and Pop art icon, Max continues to create colorful paintings and posters. The psychedelic imagery, bright color palette, and “Cosmic ‘60s style” of his works express the spirit of the Summer of Love.

Peter Max studio representative Tamara Kenigsberg states, “With paintings on exhibition in hundreds of museums and galleries worldwide, Peter Max and his vibrant colors have become a part of the fabric of contemporary culture. Peter Max has been referred to as a Pop icon, Neo Fauvist, Abstract Expressionist and America’s ‘Painter Laureate’ -- having painted for the last six U.S. Presidents and various Heads of State. In addition to his work on canvas, Peter Max’s most recent visions have been seen on a Boeing 777 Continental Airlines jet, across a 600-foot stage for Woodstock Music Festival, on the covers of the Verizon New York City yellow and white pages, and on a giant mural unveiled at the 2002 Winter Olympics. He has been designated Official Artist of five Super Bowls, six Grammy Awards, World Cup USA, The World Series, The United Nations Earth Summit, and numerous other events.”

In honor of the anniversary, Max unveiled two new posters in this exhibition: one commemorating the exhibition at the de Young and another celebrating the Summer of Love 40th Anniversary event in Golden Gate Park on September 2, 2007. As part of Friday Nights at the de Young, Max delivered a lecture entitled Peter Max on Life and Creativity and a film presentation on August 31 at 7:00 pm in the Koret Auditorium. After the lecture, he held a book signing. Peter Max and the Summer of Love is free of charge.

The de Young’s exhibition and programs are in response to the Museum’s location in Golden Gate Park, the setting for many of the festivities in the summer of 1967 and for this year’s anniversary celebration. The exhibition is on view through October 28, 2007.