Peter Davies

Peter Davies utilizes a combination of conceptualism and formalism in his artwork, exploring the fleeting nature of pop-cultural information systems. He employs minimalist painting techniques to depict lists, charts, and bylines with a polished and sleek appearance. His abstract paintings often feature large canvases adorned with vivid yet imperfect patterns that convey ephemeral pop-cultural information. In his text-based works, he uses paint, language, and structure to discuss art as a commodity within the entertainment industry, positioning himself as a leader in this movement. Davies creates a massive flow chart, inspired by Beuys's blackboard works, to connect his artistic heroes through six degrees of separation and trace their lineage back to Beuys. He argues that there are only twelve simple connections between Picasso and Sarah Lucas, with Peter Doig and Matthew Barney's shared love of sports serving as a legitimate link. Despite the intricate linear thinking required by the flow chart, Davies believes it simplifies the complex connections between artists.