Contemporary artist Robert Peterson, whose painting Sunday Kind of Love is on view in the exhibition Love for All My Life, lives only a few hours away from Wichita in Lawton, OK. He uses his art to celebrate African-American experiences, especially the joy found in family, friends and relationships.
In 2012, Robert Peterson picked up a paintbrush for the first time after receiving word from his doctors that he needed surgery to replace his hip as a means to relieve his fear of going under the knife. After painting a few works, Peterson’s work began to sell and just eight months later he had his first solo exhibition in New York City at Smile Design Gallery.
Ten years later, Peterson’s paintings began to evolve and focus more on the Black experience through the lens of his life which is projected onto each new work stating that, “My art is my truth and my voice, it reflects a softer side of black people often not portrayed in the media and yet it still finds a way to show our strength and resilience, something that I want to see more of in galleries and museums.”
WAM’s new acquisition Sunday Kind of Love, now on view in the exhibition Love for All My Life, exemplifies this with an intimate portrayal that is representative of Peterson and his wife, Marina, quietly laying together and listening to each other’s heartbeat.
About WAM Nights: The Wichita Art Museum is open late on Fridays until 9 pm! You can get your weekend started with after-hours access to the galleries, dinner at 1400 by Elderslie or shopping in the Museum Store.
WAM Nights include programs with artists, musicians, and performers and offer an opportunity to see art at WAM in a new way.
General admission to WAM Nights and to the galleries is free.