Peter Nagy, the artist-gallerist, died on October 13 at the age of at 66.
I knew Peter from my New York days in the late 1980s, before he finally settled in India. He was a fixture in my loft and the parties we had there. He introduced me to many in his circuit, specially the writer Gary Indiana, as much a character of downtown Manhattan as Peter himself.
Peter had studied graphic design and he had started using maps, building plans and similar charts to paint black and white canvases. Mandala patterns and stupa forms became the basis for other works. These evolved into graphic colour images. His work always had an art historic or historic base.
His family had a history of cancer and he showed his cancer series in Delhi last year. He lost the battle against that disease, and after emergency treatment in New York, returned to Delhi to pass away at home with his cats.
Peter Nagy, *2000 B.C. to 2000 A.D.* (enamel on steel, 1990). Image courtesy: Jeffrey Deitch. pic.twitter.com/MryAQfczPY
— Ranjit Hoskote (@ranjithoskote) April 9, 2020
Having started Nature Morte gallery in New York in the early 1980s, he shifted from making art full time to curating and running a gallery. When he shifted to Delhi,...