Cut and paste: Peter Beard (updated)
If you know me, you’ll know I’m a collage freak. Ivan Chermayeff, Robert Rauschenberg, and the master of it all, Peter Beard. Here’s an old Nowness short film by Derek Peck, showing the artist at work discussing his craft and his love for nature. Watch it here.
UPDATE: Peter Beard went missing at the end of March and his death has sadly now been confirmed. It’s a heartbreaking time for his loved ones and a huge loss for his fans. But what a life lived. I’m sure there will be many tributes to his talent, curiosity and inimitable character in the coming days. I’ll share the best here as I find them. Here’s the New York Times obituary.
R.I.P Peter Beard…
WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGE: Peter Beard
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3 April, 2020 @ 12:21 pm
Such a beautiful short film, and so prescient too. I’ve long admired Peter Beard, hope he’s found safe and alive soon. Thanks for posting this. xo
3 April, 2020 @ 4:40 pm
Thanks Kathy xx
3 April, 2020 @ 4:14 pm
Thanks for posting this. My next-door neighbor has one of his elephant collages. I have admired it for years (and hope she leaves it to me in her will!). From a distance you can not tell that it is a collage, but close-up, you can really appreciate the fine work, and the writing.
Around two years ago I started doing photo collage, more along the lines of Hockney but also with my own writing, like Beard. I hadn’t thought about the connection of these two men and their influence on my own fledgling artistic delights until this film.
I see a lot of collage done on computer, but the actual act of physically cutting and pasting many photos to make a single image is something that I really enjoy. I think it requires a sort of meditation on the artist’s part, and that is something that I need.
Anyway…. stay well, girl.
3 April, 2020 @ 4:40 pm
Thank you Monique, I totally agree. I have scrapbooks but never ‘have time’ to put my scraps in them. But when I do it’s so relaxing and gives you time to just let your mind wander!
8 April, 2020 @ 8:25 am
Beautiful film, thanks Navaz.. I do a little collage, and now I have more time, so this was an inspiration..
9 April, 2020 @ 8:35 pm
“Nature is the best thing that we’ve got.” Thank you for sharing.
16 April, 2020 @ 3:55 am
Thanks for sharing this video.
Love Peter’s work and what he said is so so true.
“Nature is the best thing that we’ve got”, we should all be grateful and cherish it.