PETER NICKEL

Peter Nickel was born in Los Angeles, California but lives and works in Austin, Texas.  Collected by many prestigious organizations like the Getty Museum, Armand Hammer Museum, Library of Congress, Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas, Nickel is known for his ambitious lithographs, paintings and drawings which merge classical subject matter and styles with the surreal.

ARTIST"S STATEMENT

​In my work,  I seek to explore a range of contradictory themes within a given image.  Because I am a twin, I have an interest in what manner dualities are revealed.  By resurrecting references to the past with what I refer to as my surrealist mind's eye, I juxtapose figurative and abstracted styles;  I recall  historical images and treat them within a contemporary context.  In doing so, I hope to suggest opposing and dual characteristics simultaneously, contrasting through a personal symbolism such themes as:

Realism vs distortion
Delicate vs violent or aggressive drawing style
Submissive vs assertive nature
And the real vs the anonymous, ephemeral and spiritual