Peter Manion: Better When I’m Bad

Exhibition Dates: April 9th - May 14th, 2022

Peter Manion is a native Saint Louisan who returned in 2000 after studying and living in Chicago and Louisville, KY. Though he completed his studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Peter spent nearly 10 years away from the art world. For the past seven years, however, he has returned to his studio painting, making, and showing his work continuously. Focused on the idea and the process of making a work of art, Peter's work has been evolving, challenging both him and his audience. Using an assortment of tools, techniques, and mediums, his paintings contain subtle abstract details and images built around a central form that frequently demands of the viewer to ask "how is that done?"

Better When I’m Bad is an intimate collection of new work from Peter Manion, created from 2020 to 2021. During this time, amidst the pandemic, Peter took a sabbatical in Mexico, culminating in the inspiration for this series. The personal journey through culture and terrain set the scene for Peter to process ideas of consumption, celebration, and inner conflicts relating to relationships, love, and impulse.

Heavily spontaneous and authentic renderings include characters, icons, and psychic identities. The works are primarily gestural inks and watercolor on paper, anchored with Manion’s signature plaster felts. A story presented in a dreamy outline, archives a world describing the artist’s internal and external experience of being human, spiritual, and questions of realms that exist between.

A virtual tour of the show will be available shortly.

Our current hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 11 am - 4 pm, or contact us to schedule a private viewing.