In February of this year, we had the good fortune to spend an afternoon in Peter Shire’s vibrant Echo Park studio. Nestled in and between a series of buildings, Peter and his wife, Donna, have created a remarkable space. They generously guided us through rooms filled with art and ephemera, providing insights into Peter’s creative process while showcasing diverse personal collections, historical works, furniture pieces, delicate ceramic pinched mugs, prints, and preserved catalogs from his exhibitions and residency experiences worldwide.
Peter shared anecdotes about his longstanding friendship with William Traver, the founder of Traver Gallery and Vetri. Our discussion took us back to Peter’s first exhibition at the gallery in 1984, and he expressed his gratitude for the support of Bill and the gallery throughout the years. Throughout our visit, we witnessed the studio in full swing, with the team working on painting a collection of splatter plates and preparing artworks and sculptures for an upcoming art fair. The studio felt like a captivating maze, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the artist’s world and gain an up-close and personal perspective.
Peter Shire is an influential American artist and designer who became a vital member of the Memphis Group, challenging design conventions with his playful and unconventional creations. His whimsical and vibrant works inspire contemporary designers, leaving a lasting legacy that blurs the boundaries between art and design while celebrating the creativity in everyday objects.
We’re thrilled that Vetri has received a new shipment of Peter’s EXP highly sought-after Splatter mugs and bowls! These pieces effectively blend functionality with the artist’s distinctive Memphis Design style, showcasing the vibrant colors and spontaneous splatter patterns for which Peter Shire has become so well known.
Click here to see more work by Peter Shire