Peter Halley

An overview of the Neo-Geo painter’s electrically colored compositions and wry technical lexicon

Throughout his career, American painter Peter Halley (born 1953) has developed a vocabulary derived from geometric abstraction that reflects the contemporary world. His works are inhabited by “prisons,” “cells” and “conduits,” the result of his reflections on the alienation of contemporary society, whose members live in cramped spaces (cells or prisons) interconnected by a system of circuits (conduits) encompassing pipes, chimneys, electrical installations and the Internet. Halley’s geometric compositions are characterized by an apparent simplicity that makes it tempting to follow the lines of the conduits. Yet, with a sense of humor, the artist often decides to cut the connections: adding to the absurdity of contemporary society. The bright, often fluorescent colors create vibrant paintings that convey a joyful vision of the world. This monograph presents Halley’s work from its beginnings to the present, with a specific focus on tracing the reception of his work in Europe.

Étudiant la reconnaissance dont Peter Halley a bénéficié en Europe, ce livre retrace l'histoire de ses quarante années d'activité en Europe de l'Ouest. Depuis le milieu des années 1980, les peintures et les écrits de l'artiste ont été accueillis par les Européens avec un enthousiasme remarquable, à l'instar de certains artistes américains avant lui, tels qu'Andy Warhol, Robert Ryman et Richard Serra. Retracer l'histoire de ces décennies d'échanges entre Peter Halley et l'Europe permet d'en identifier les moments forts, tout en mesurant et comprenant l'importance de son oeuvre.