Page 66 - Reader's House magazine

Exploring Passion And Creative Resilience Gary Petersen explores his journey from Gary Petersen transforms geometric abstraction into vibrant expressions forged from his humble Staten Island origins and refined via transformati- ve residencies and award recognition, bridging contemporary exploration with timeless artistic inquiry. “ D R A F T GARY PETERSEN ILLUMINATES CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACTION WITH VIBRANT EXPRESSION Staten Island is one of the five boroughs that make up New York City, and I grew up there in a lower-middle-class household. My parents did not have a college education, and I attended Catholic schools without any art classes.” ART & MEDIA Editor’s Desk tament to the power of abstrac- Gary Petersen’s art is a vivid tes- tion—a journey marked by bold color, dynamic shapes, and an inherent sense of rhythm. His work thrusts geometric abstraction into a realm that is both playful and deeply meaningful. With an unmistakable visual language defined by daring compositions and lively, vibrant pal- ettes, Petersen creates paintings that extend beyond the limitations of the canvas; they invite viewers to explore layers of meaning and emotional resonance. Every piece seems to pulse with life, a delicate equilibrium be- tween precision and spontaneity—a balance that speaks to his mastery of form and hue. Born and raised in Staten Island, one of New York City’s five boroughs, Petersen’s early environment was a world far removed from the academic art scene. Growing up in a lower-middle-class household and atten- ding Catholic schools without art classes, he was first introduced to the world of art alon- gside a burgeoning interest in biology. As a first-generation college student, he initially gravitated toward a practical field, choosing to major in Animal Science at Pennsylvania State University with dreams of becoming a 66 II Reader’s House